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Niijima

Photo of this volcano
  • Japan
  • Lava dome(s)
  • 886 CE
  •  
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 34.397°N
  • 139.27°E

  • 432 m
    1417 ft

  • 284020
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: July 1996 (BGVN 21:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic activity increases

High seismicity around the island was recorded on 17 and 24-26 July. The largest earthquakes (M 4.0) were detected at 1250 and 1321 on 17 July.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Japan Meteorological Agency, 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Niijima.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

10/1985 (SEAN 10:10) Submarine earthquake swarm

01/1992 (BGVN 17:01) Earthquake swarm but no surface changes

03/1992 (BGVN 17:03) Earthquake swarm but no surface changes evident

08/1992 (BGVN 17:08) Weak earthquake swarm

09/1992 (BGVN 17:09) Two weak seismic swarms

10/1992 (BGVN 17:10) Earthquake swarm but no surface changes evident

03/1993 (BGVN 18:03) Earthquake swarm on 23 March; no surface anomalies

08/1993 (BGVN 18:08) Earthquake swarms

12/1995 (BGVN 20:11) Seismic swarm on 4 December

07/1996 (BGVN 21:07) Seismic activity increases




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


October 1985 (SEAN 10:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Submarine earthquake swarm

Local seismicity increased in the sea NW of Nii-jima on 21-22 September. Residents measured no significant changes in temperatures of the island's hot springs during this period. Because epicenters were close to the island, more than 20 events were felt, the largest of magnitude [3.5 (JMA)]. Earthquake swarms are common around Nii-jima; the most recent was in August-September 1983 [when the largest event was M 4.2].

Information Contacts: JMA, Tokyo.


January 1992 (BGVN 17:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquake swarm but no surface changes

An earthquake swarm was recorded on 3-4 January, centered 10 km SW of Nii-jima near Shikine-jima, a dome of the Nii-jima complex (figure 1). The largest shock, M 3.1, occurred at 0657 on 3 January. No surface anomalies were observed at the volcano or on the surrounding sea. Three weeks later, a swarm was recorded near Kozu-shima, 20 km SSW (figure 2).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Epicenter map of earthquakes near Nii-jima and Kozu-shima, January 1992. Courtesy of JMA.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. Epicenter map (top) and space/time diagram (bottom) showing seismicity around Kozu-shima and Nii-jima volcanoes, January 1991-June 1992. Courtesy of JMA.

Information Contacts: JMA.


March 1992 (BGVN 17:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquake swarm but no surface changes evident

A seismic swarm recorded between 0200 and 0400 on 19 March consisted of 10 earthquakes beneath and around the island (figure 3). Several of the events were felt by island residents, the largest, M 2.5, at 0349. No surface anomalies were observed.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 3. Epicenter map of earthquakes near Nii-jima, 19 March 1992. Courtesy of JMA.

Information Contacts: JMA.


August 1992 (BGVN 17:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Weak earthquake swarm

A weak earthquake swarm was detected in the sea a few kilometers E and W of the island on 28-29 August. The strongest event was M 2.3.

Information Contacts: JMA.


September 1992 (BGVN 17:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Two weak seismic swarms

Two weak earthquake swarms occurred 5 km WSW and NW of the island on 16 and 22 September. Maximum magnitudes were 3.5 and 3.1, respectively. No ocean-surface anomalies were observed.

Information Contacts: JMA.


October 1992 (BGVN 17:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquake swarm but no surface changes evident

A swarm of earthquakes occurred midway between [Nii-jima and Kozu-shima] islands 17-20 October. The largest earthquake was M 5.1, at 2237 on 17 October. No ocean-surface anomalies were observed.

Information Contacts: JMA.


March 1993 (BGVN 18:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquake swarm on 23 March; no surface anomalies

A weak earthquake swarm occurred 23 March in the N part of Nii-jima island. The earthquakes, M 1.9 maximum, were located both onshore and offshore. . . . No surface anomalies, onshore or offshore, were observed . . . .

Information Contacts: JMA.


August 1993 (BGVN 18:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquake swarms

. . . An earthquake swarm on 9 September near Nii-jima island . . . included a M 3.7 event.

Information Contacts: JMA.


December 1995 (BGVN 20:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic swarm on 4 December

On 4 December, many earthquakes occurred in and around the island, some of which were felt. The largest one was M 4.3.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan.


July 1996 (BGVN 21:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic activity increases

High seismicity around the island was recorded on 17 and 24-26 July. The largest earthquakes (M 4.0) were detected at 1250 and 1321 on 17 July.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Japan Meteorological Agency, 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan

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.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 5 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

0886 Jun 29 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Mukai-yama
0886 Jun 29 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Mukai-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion violent, strong, or large
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
0886 Jun 29    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0856 (?) - 0857 (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Achi-yama
0856 (?) - 0857 (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Achi-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
0856
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1250 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Wakago tephra
1250 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Wakago tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash

4350 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Niijima-yama
4350 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Niijima-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra

5950 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
5950 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Niijima.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Niijima.

GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 2 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 108959 Biotite Rhyolite MUKO-YAMA DOME --
NMNH 117801-9 Rhyolite Muko-yama --
External Sites