Global Volcanism Program

Most Recent Weekly Report: 29 May-4 June 2019 Cite this Report

JMA raised the Alert Level for Kurikomayama to 1 (the lowest level on a 5-level scale) on 30 May due to an undescribed potential for increased activity at the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Weekly Reports - Index

2019: May

29 May-4 June 2019 Cite this Report

JMA raised the Alert Level for Kurikomayama to 1 (the lowest level on a 5-level scale) on 30 May due to an undescribed potential for increased activity at the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Kurikomayama.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

283210

1950 CE

1,627 m / 5,338 ft

38.961°N
140.788°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Composite

Volcano Types
Stratovolcano
Caldera
Pyroclastic cone(s)

Rock Types

Major
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

226
1,081
104,165
4,615,592

Geological Summary

The summit of Kurikomayama volcano is cut by a 4-km-wide caldera breached to the north that is partially filled by the Tsurugi-dake central cone, once mined for sulfur. The complex andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano was constructed over a relatively high basement of welded and unwelded Tertiary dacitic tuffs and sedimentary rocks and thus has a smaller volume than its height suggests. Early stage eruptions beginning about 500,000 years ago produced lava flows to the north and south, followed by growth of the Higashi-Kurikoma (East Kurikoma) stratovolcano. Magusadake volcano on the western side of the complex was active until about 100,000 years ago. Construction of the main cone concluded with lava flows to the E, SE, and W. Daichigamori lava dome and Aguroshi-yama pyroclastic cone are located on the southern flank. Minor phreatic eruptions have occurred in historical time from the central cone.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Fujinawa A, Fujita K, Takahashi M, Umeda K, Hayashi S, 2001. Development history of Kurikoma volcano, northeast Japan. Bull Volc Soc Japan (Kazan), 46: 269-284 (in Japanese with English abs).

Japan Meteorological Agency, 1996. National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (second edition). Tokyo: Japan Meteorological Agency, 502 p (in Japanese).

Japan Meteorological Agency, 2013. National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency.

Kudo T, Hoshizumi H, 2006-. Catalog of eruptive events within the last 10,000 years in Japan, database of Japanese active volcanoes. Geol Surv Japan, AIST, https://gbank.gsj.jp/volcano/index_e.htm.

Kuno H, 1962. Japan, Taiwan and Marianas. Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields, Rome: IAVCEI, 11: 1-332.

Murayama I, 1987. Volcanoes of Japan (I). Tokyo: Daimedo, 315 p (2nd edition, in Japanese).

Nakano S, Yamamoto T, Iwaya T, Itoh J, Takada A, 2001-. Quaternary Volcanoes of Japan. Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/strata/VOL_JP/.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 7 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1950 Jan 15 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

1950 Jan 15 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Audible Sounds
1950 Jan 15	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1946 Nov 24 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

SE of Tsurugi-yama

1946 Nov 24 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at SE of Tsurugi-yama

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
1946 Nov 24	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1944 Nov 20 - 1944 Dec Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

1944 Nov 20 - 1944 Dec

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity	weak or small
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
- - - -	- - - -	Property Damage
1944 Nov 20	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1783 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

1783 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity	Uncertain
	- - - -	- - - -	Property Damage

1744 Feb 3 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

1744 Feb 3 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity	Uncertain
	1744 Feb 3	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1726 ± 10 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 1 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Tsurugi-yama

1726 ± 10 years - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Tsurugi-yama

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity	Uncertain
	1726 ± 10 years	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1450 ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

1450 ± 50 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
	1450 ± 50 years	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

3540 BCE ± 2480 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

3540 BCE ± 2480 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Synonyms

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Aguroshi-yama

Cone

Higashi-Kurikoma

Stratovolcano

Magusa-dake

Stratovolcano

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Daichigamori
Daitimori

Dome

1155 m

Tsurugi-dake
Turugi-yama

Dome

Photo Gallery

Kurikomayama is seen from the SSE with its summit at the right-center, the Daichimori cone on the left, and Higashi Kurikoma on the right. Minor phreatic eruptions have been recorded from the central cone.

Copyrighted photo by Shingo Takeuchi (Japanese Quaternary Volcanoes database, RIODB, http://riodb02.ibase.aist.go.jp/strata/VOL_JP/EN/index.htm and Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.gsj.jp/).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Kurikomayama in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Kurikomayama. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Kurikomayama. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Kurikomayama

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).