Oshima-Oshima

Photo of this volcano
Country Japan
Volcanic Region Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc
Landform | Volc Type Composite | Stratovolcano
Last Known Eruption 1790 CE
Coordinates 41.51°N, 139.367°E
Elevation 732 m (2,402 ft)
Volcano Number 285010
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Latest Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports available for Oshima-Oshima.

Latest Bulletin Report

Bulletin Report for March 1996 (BGVN 21:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquakes and tremor detected

Volcanic earthquakes and tremors were detected near the end of March by instruments maintained by Hokkaido University.

This small island 55 km W of Hokkaido in the Japan Sea consists of two coalescing volcanoes. An eruption in August 1741 produced heavy ashfall on the Hokkaido mainland. A violent explosion and landsliding from the Nishi-yama cone accompanied a large tectonic earthquake and a major tsunami that killed 1,475 people, most on the W coast of the Oshima Peninsula. Subsequent eruptions through early 1742 produced a new central cone and lava flows. Minor explosive activity was documented in 1759, 1786, and 1790.

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

Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Oshima-Oshima.

Bulletin Reports

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.

Index with Summary Sentence

03/1996 (BGVN 21:03) Earthquakes and tremor detected

Report Narratives

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


March 1996 (BGVN 21:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquakes and tremor detected

Volcanic earthquakes and tremors were detected near the end of March by instruments maintained by Hokkaido University.

This small island 55 km W of Hokkaido in the Japan Sea consists of two coalescing volcanoes. An eruption in August 1741 produced heavy ashfall on the Hokkaido mainland. A violent explosion and landsliding from the Nishi-yama cone accompanied a large tectonic earthquake and a major tsunami that killed 1,475 people, most on the W coast of the Oshima Peninsula. Subsequent eruptions through early 1742 produced a new central cone and lava flows. Minor explosive activity was documented in 1759, 1786, and 1790.

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

General Information

Eruptive History

There is data available for 5 confirmed eruptive periods.

1790 Jan (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) Nishi-yama
1790 Jan (?) - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Nishi-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
1790 Jan
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1786 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) Nishi-yama
1786 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Nishi-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
1786    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1759 Aug 19 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) Nishi-yama
1759 Aug 19 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Nishi-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1759 Aug 19    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1741 Aug 18 (?) - 1742 May Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) Nishi-yama
1741 Aug 18 (?) - 1742 May Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 11 Events for Episode 1 at Nishi-yama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion violent, strong, or large
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Avalanche
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Tsunami
   - - - -    - - - - Edifice Destroyed Collapse/avalanche
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1741 Aug 18
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1741 Aug 23    - - - - Fatalities
1741 Aug 29    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0250 ± 150 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) Nishi-yama
0250 ± 150 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Nishi-yama

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

0800 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) Nishi-yama
0800 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Nishi-yama

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

Synonyms and Subfeatures

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.

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 112974 Hornblende Basalt -- --
NMNH 112975 Olivine Basalt -- --

External Sites