Skip to main content

Japan · Caldera

Nishinoshima

Type
Caldera
Elevation
160m
Last eruption
2023
Nishinoshima
Photo: 国土地理院 · Attribution · Wikimedia Commons
Type
Caldera
Country
Japan
Region
Northwestern Pacific / Ogasawara Volcanic Arc
Elevation
160m
Coordinates
27.244, 140.880
Last eruption
2023
Tectonic setting
Subduction zone / Crustal thickness unknown
Landform
Composite
Major rock type
Andesite / Basaltic andesite
Geological summary

The small island of Nishinoshima was enlarged when several new islands coalesced during an eruption in 1973-74. Multiple eruptions between 2013 and 2023 completely covered the previous exposed surface and continued to enlarge the island. The island is the summit of a massive submarine volcano that has prominent peaks to the S, W, and NE. The summit of the southern cone rises to within 214 m of the ocean surface 9 km SSE.

Eruption history

15 recordedGlossary
Summary (VEI over time)
Click a bar to see individual eruptions · Use arrow keys to move between bars, Enter to open
1973~1978 · 2 eruptions · max VEI 21978~1983 · 3 eruptions · max VEI 01983~1988 · 3 eruptions · max VEI 01998~2002 · 1 eruptions · max VEI 02012~2017 · 2 eruptions · max VEI 22017~2022 · 4 eruptions · max VEI 219731983199820072017

Detailed timeline

  1. 2022VEI 2Observed
    2022-10-01 – 2023-10-13
    Central cone of 2013 island
  2. 2021VEI 2Observed
    2021-08-14 – 2021-08-15
    Central cone of 2013 island
  3. 2019VEI 1Observed
    2019-12-05 – 2020-08-27
    Central cone of 2013 island
  4. 2018VEI 1Observed
    2018-07-12 – 2018-07-21
    Central cone of 2013 island
  5. 2017VEI 2Observed
    2017-04-18 – 2017-08-17
    Central cone of 2013 island
  6. 2013VEI 2Observed
    2013-11-20 – 2015-11-17
    Vent SSE of existing Nishinoshima
  7. 2001VEI 0Method not stated
    2001-01-16 – end unknown
  8. 1986VEI 0Method not stated
    1986-07-02 – 1990-07-02
  9. 1985VEI 0Method not stated
    1985-12-02 – 1985-12-02
  10. 1983VEI 0Method not stated
    1983-07-02 – 1984-07-02
  11. 1982VEI 0Method not stated
    1982-04-16 – 1982-04-16
  12. 1980VEI 0Method not stated
    1980-07-07 – 1981-07-02
    South, east, and west sides
  13. 1978VEI 0Method not stated
    1978-11-16 – 1979-07-02
    6.5 km NW of Nishino-shima
  14. 1975VEI 0Method not stated
    1975-07-02 – 1977-07-02
  15. 1973VEI 2Observed
    1973-04-12 – 1974-05-05
    Vent SE of existing Nishinoshima

Nearby volcanoes

External links

⚠ For reference only. Not for emergency response.