About Hijiori
Hijiori is a caldera rising to 552 meters (1,811 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
Hijiori is located in Japan, within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 38.60° N, 140.16° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 552 meters above sea level, Hijiori is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a caldera, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Hijiori 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 Hijiori, 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 dacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
GVP Reference Summary
Hijiori caldera is a small, inconspicuous caldera located NE of the Pleistocene Gassan stratovolcano. The low 2.5-km-wide caldera formed during a large eruption about 10,300 radiocarbon years ago. This eruption was accompanied by dacitic pyroclastic flows and tephra fall that extended to the east and reached the Pacific coast and growth of a lava dome. Small local tephra deposits overlie lacustrine deposits. Hot springs occur at Hijiori, and caldera lake deposits have undergone extensive hydrothermal alteration.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Hijiori.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Hijiori
Is Hijiori an active volcano?+
Hijiori is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Hijiori?+
Hijiori has a summit elevation of 552 meters (1,811 feet) above sea level. At 552 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Hijiori?+
Hijiori is classified as a Caldera. Calderas are large volcanic depressions formed when a volcano erupts so powerfully that its magma chamber collapses, creating a basin that can be kilometers wide. They are often sites of some of Earth's largest eruptions.
Where is Hijiori located?+
Hijiori is located in Japan, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 38.599° latitude, 140.162° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Hijiori?+
Hijiori 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.
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