Kussharo

Photo of this volcano
Country Japan
Volcanic Region Kuril Volcanic Arc
Landform | Volc Type Caldera | Caldera
Last Known Eruption 1320 CE
Coordinates 43.615°N, 144.427°E
Elevation 574 m (1,883 ft)
Volcano Number 285080
Google Earth icon Google Earth Placemark with Features
Citation icon Cite Volcano Profile

Latest Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

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

Latest Bulletin Report

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

Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports

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

Bulletin Reports

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

General Information

Eruptive History

There is data available for 6 confirmed eruptive periods.

1320 ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) 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 (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) 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 (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) 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 (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) 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 (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) 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 (Explosive / Effusive)  

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) 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

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.

Photo Gallery

Thumbnail Photo (see caption)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).
Thumbnail Photo (see caption)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).
Thumbnail Photo (see caption)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).
Thumbnail Photo (see caption)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).
Thumbnail Photo (see caption)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).

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