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Kussharo

Photo of this volcano
  • Japan
  • Caldera
  • 1320 CE
  •  
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 43.615°N
  • 144.427°E

  • 574 m
    1883 ft

  • 285080
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports for Kussharo.

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

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

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.

1320 ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Atosanupuri, At-a tephra
1320 ± 300 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Atosanupuri, At-a tephra

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

0700 (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Atosanupuri
0700 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Atosanupuri

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

0450 (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Atosanupuri, At-b tephra
0450 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Atosanupuri, At-b tephra

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

1550 BCE ± 2000 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Atosanupuri
1550 BCE ± 2000 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Atosanupuri

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

3550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Atosanupuri
3550 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Atosanupuri

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome

5800 BCE ± 2250 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Atosanupuri
5800 BCE ± 2250 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Atosanupuri

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

There is no Deformation History data available for Kussharo.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Kussharo.

Photo Gallery

The 20 x 26 km Kussharo caldera, seen here from its western rim, is the largest of a cluster of calderas in NE Hokkaido. It formed around 30,000 years ago. Nakajima, a Holocene post-caldera lava dome complex, forms the large island to the left that fills much of the western half of the caldera. Atosanupuri is located near the center of the caldera, east of the lake.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).
A cluster of lava domes is located in the center of Kussharo caldera, which is partially filled by Lake Kutcharo (upper right). Light-colored areas of hydrothermal alteration cover the slopes of Atosanupuri (left), seen here from the east with the rounded Sawanchisappu lava dome to its right. The far western wall of the 20 x 26 km caldera lies in the clouds at the far end of the lake.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).
Atosanupuri lava dome was emplaced about 1,000 years ago and its hydrothermally altered flanks are visible in this photo. The 900-m-wide dome was constructed within a 1-km-wide crater. Atosanupuri is one of a cluster of lava domes that occupy the eastern side of Kussharo Caldera.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).
Intense fumarolic activity occurs on the margins of Atosanupuri lava dome and from fissures along the dome. Constant high-temperature emission of steam and gas has extensively altered the dome rock. Areas of sulfur deposition such as this are common and have been mined since 1887.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).
Souvenir vendors at Atosanupuri volcano take advantage of fumarolic activity to cook baskets of hard-boiled eggs for visiting tourists. Atosanupuri is the youngest of a group of lava domes on the E side of Kussharo Caldera. Geothermal areas are common on the margins of the dome and radial fissures.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).
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 14 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 112882 Pyroxene Dacite ATOSANUPURI --
NMNH 112882 Pyroxene Dacite ATOSANUPURI --
NMNH 112883 Pyroxene Dacite ATOSANUPURI, TOSAMOSIBE DOME --
NMNH 112883 Pyroxene Dacite ATOSANUPURI, TOSAMOSIBE DOME --
NMNH 112884 Pyroxene Dacite ATOSANUPURI, MARU-YAMA DOME --
NMNH 112884 Pyroxene Dacite ATOSANUPURI, MARU-YAMA DOME --
NMNH 112885 Pyroxene Andesite -- --
NMNH 112885 Pyroxene Andesite -- --
NMNH 112886 Pumice -- --
NMNH 112887 Pyroxene Andesite -- --
NMNH 112888 Pyroxene Andesite -- --
NMNH 112888 Pyroxene Andesite -- --
NMNH 116886 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116887 Pyroxene Andesite -- --
External Sites