About Kaikata Seamount
Kaikata Seamount is a stratovolcano rising to -165 meters (-541 feet) in Japan's Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Kaikata Seamount is located in Japan, within the Ogasawara Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 26.67° N, 140.93° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With an elevation of -165 meters — below sea level — Kaikata Seamount is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature. Submarine volcanoes make up the majority of Earth's volcanic activity, though most eruptions go unobserved beneath the ocean surface. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Kaikata Seamount sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Japan near Kaikata Seamount, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
Kaikata Seamount is a basaltic-to-dacitic submarine volcano located north of Kaitoku Seamount. The volcano rises 2,350 m from the sea floor to within 165 m of the surface. Two major summit peaks are oriented NE-SW, with the SW peak being the highest. Hydrothermal activity was observed in 1988 at a depth of 460 m, and the volcano was reclassified as active by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Kaikata Seamount.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Kaikata Seamount
Is Kaikata Seamount an active volcano?+
Kaikata Seamount is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Unrest / Holocene." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Kaikata Seamount?+
Kaikata Seamount has a summit elevation of -165 meters (-541 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -165 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Kaikata Seamount?+
Kaikata Seamount is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Kaikata Seamount located?+
Kaikata Seamount is located in Japan, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Ogasawara Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 26.667° latitude, 140.929° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Kaikata Seamount?+
Kaikata Seamount can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Japan may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
