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Izu-Torishima

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 30.484°N
  • 140.303°E

  • 394 m
    1,293 ft

  • 284090
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 3 July-9 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

According to the Tokyo VAAC a pilot observed an ash plume from Tori-shima drifting at an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. on 6 July.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)


Most Recent Bulletin Report: August 2015 (BGVN 40:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Uncertain ash plume reported by a pilot on 6 July 2013

Vigorous ash plumes from Izu-Torishima (also Torishima) were noted during mid-August 2002 that reached an approximate altitude of 1.2-1.5 km (BGVN 27:07 and 27:10). The volcano apparently remained quiet until 6 July 2013, when a pilot observed an ash plume drifting about 74 km N of the volcano at an altitude of 2.1 km. However, the Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center did not detect ash in satellite images. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has no information about this uncertain activity available online.

According to a news account quoting the JMA, a M 6.7 earthquake occurred near Izu-Torishima around 21 April 2013, but there is no evidence this event triggered any explosion.

Information Contacts: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Tokyo, Japan (URL: http://ds.data.jma.go.jp/svd/vaac/data/); Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Otemachi, 1-3-4, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8122, Japan (URL: http://www.jma.go.jp/).

Weekly Reports - Index


2013: July
2002: August


3 July-9 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

According to the Tokyo VAAC a pilot observed an ash plume from Tori-shima drifting at an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. on 6 July.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)


21 August-27 August 2002 Citation IconCite this Report

An eruption began at Tori-shima on 11 August and an aerial inspection by the Japan Coast Guard on 21 August revealed that "smoke" was no longer rising from the volcano as it had been on the 14th. Weak steaming was visible in the southern part of the crater. In addition, the sea surface around the island was faintly discolored.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) via the Volcano Research Center


14 August-20 August 2002 Citation IconCite this Report

The eruption that began at Tori-shima on 11 August continued until at least noon on the 14th. Eruption clouds reached ~1.2 km a.s.l. on the 13th and ~1 km a.s.l. on the 14th. During observations on the 14th, scientists found smoke was being emitted from three areas on the western inner wall of the summit crater. They also found that the crater seemed to have widened during the eruption and the sea surface was no longer discolored.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) via the Volcano Research Center


7 August-13 August 2002 Citation IconCite this Report

On 11 August around 1530 a ship sailing near Tori-shima reported to the Japan Coast Guard that they observed white smoke rising from the summit of the volcano. JMA reported that an aerial inspection the following day during 1145-1245 revealed an ash-laden plume rising from the SW crater wall of the summit crater (Iwoyama) and white plumes emanating from the S to SE portion of the crater wall. Vigorous ash plumes rose 200-300 m above the crater every few minutes, drifted W, and ultimately reached a height of 1 km a.s.l. The summit area and the middle slope NNW of the summit were covered with ash-fall deposits. Discolored sea water extended 20 km W of the island. Tori-shima is not inhabited by humans, but an endangered albatross species lives there.

Sources: Associated Press; Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) via the Volcano Research Center; Reuters; NOAA Marine Forecasts


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.

01/1977 (NSEB 02:01) Possible submarine eruption in October 1975

07/2002 (BGVN 27:07) Ash plumes during August 2002 indicate first activity since 1975

10/2002 (BGVN 27:10) Mid-August 2002 plumes, larger crater, and discolored water

08/2015 (BGVN 40:08) Uncertain ash plume reported by a pilot on 6 July 2013




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


January 1977 (NSEB 02:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Possible submarine eruption in October 1975

[A table of possible submarine eruptions based on aerial observations of water discoloration by the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency included an entry for 30.38°N, 140.32°E, in October 1975. This location is ~11 km S of Tori-shima.]

Information Contacts: AFP; U.S. Defense Mapping Agency.


July 2002 (BGVN 27:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Ash plumes during August 2002 indicate first activity since 1975

Around 1530 on 11 August 2002, a ship sailing near Tori-shima reported white smoke rising from the summit of the island. The Japanese Coast Guard inspected the island from the air during 1738-1818 and confirmed that the plume was rising 200-300 m from near the summit crater (Iwo-yama).

During an overflight on 12 August from 1145 to 1245 by the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), an ash-laden plume was rising from the SW wall of the Iwo-yama summit crater. White plumes were also observed rising from the S to SE crater wall (figures 1 and 2). A vigorous ash plume rose 200-300 m above the crater every few minutes and drifted W to ~1 km above sea level. The summit area and the middle slope NNW of the summit were covered with ashfall deposits. The sea surface was discolored in an area up to 20 km W of the island. Izu-Tori-shima island is currently uninhabited.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Photo showing the Iwo-yama crater of Tori-shima volcano, taken around 1200 on 12 August 2002. Courtesy JMA.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. Southern view of Tori-shima volcano showing ash plume from the summit crater, taken around 1200 on 12 August 2002. Courtesy JMA.

Information Contacts: Tomonori Kannno and Hitoshi Yamasato, Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), Volcanological Division, 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan (URL: http://www.jma.go.jp/).


October 2002 (BGVN 27:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Mid-August 2002 plumes, larger crater, and discolored water

Following ship-based reports of activity at Tori-shima on 11 August 2002, scientists from the Japanese Meterological Agency overflew the area the next day when they observed and photographed ash plumes being erupted from the crater (BGVN 27:07). According to the Japan Coast Guard (via JMA), the activity continued as of 1200 on 14 August; the plume reached ~1.2-1.5 km above sea level on 13 August (figure 3), and ~900 m on 14 August. Emissions were observed from three active areas along the western inner-wall of the summit crater. The crater appeared to have widened. By 21 August, the Japan Coast Guard reported that Izu-Tori-shima no longer "smoked" and only weak steaming was seen in the southern portion of the crater. Faintly discolored sea surface was observed around the island.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 3. Izu-Tori-Shima plume on 13 August 2002. Courtesy Air Force Weather Agency.

Information Contacts: Tomonori Kannno and Hitoshi Yamasato, Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), Volcanological Division, 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan (URL: http://www.jma.go.jp/); Volcano Research Center (VRC), Earthquake Research Institute (ERI), University of Tokyo (URL: http://www.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/VRC/index_E.html); U.S. Air Force Weather Agency, Offutt AFB, NE 68113-4039, USA.


August 2015 (BGVN 40:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Uncertain ash plume reported by a pilot on 6 July 2013

Vigorous ash plumes from Izu-Torishima (also Torishima) were noted during mid-August 2002 that reached an approximate altitude of 1.2-1.5 km (BGVN 27:07 and 27:10). The volcano apparently remained quiet until 6 July 2013, when a pilot observed an ash plume drifting about 74 km N of the volcano at an altitude of 2.1 km. However, the Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center did not detect ash in satellite images. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has no information about this uncertain activity available online.

According to a news account quoting the JMA, a M 6.7 earthquake occurred near Izu-Torishima around 21 April 2013, but there is no evidence this event triggered any explosion.

Information Contacts: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Tokyo, Japan (URL: http://ds.data.jma.go.jp/svd/vaac/data/); Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Otemachi, 1-3-4, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8122, Japan (URL: http://www.jma.go.jp/).

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 6 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 2013 Jul 6 - 2013 Jul 6 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
2013 Jul 6 - 2013 Jul 6 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
2013 Jul 6    - - - - Eruption cloud

2002 Aug 12 - 2002 Aug 20 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Iwo-yama
2002 Aug 12 - 2002 Aug 20 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Iwo-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
2002 Aug 12    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1975 Oct 2 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption 9 km S of Torishima
1975 Oct 2 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at 9 km S of Torishima

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1975 Oct 2    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1965 Nov 13 - 1965 Dec 5 ± 4 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption
1965 Nov 13 - 1965 Dec 5 ± 4 days Evidence from Observations: Hydrophonic

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1965 Nov 13    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1939 Aug 17 - 1939 Dec 26 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption North side of 1902 crater (Iwo-yama)
1939 Aug 17 - 1939 Dec 26 ± 5 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at North side of 1902 crater (Iwo-yama)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
1939    - - - - Fatalities
1939 Aug 17    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1902 Aug 7 - 1902 Aug 24 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Komochi-yama, N & SW offshore flanks
1902 Aug 7 - 1902 Aug 24 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Komochi-yama, N & SW offshore flanks

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1902 Aug 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1902 Aug 9    - - - - Fatalities

1871 Apr Confirmed Eruption VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption
1871 Apr - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
1871 Apr    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Izu-Torishima.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Izu-Torishima.

GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 1 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 107433-00 Cristobalite -- --
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