About Onikobe
Onikobe is a caldera rising to 769 meters (2,523 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
Onikobe is located in Japan, within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 38.83° N, 140.69° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 769 meters above sea level, Onikobe 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Onikobe caldera, located SW of Kurikoma volcano, is one of the few calderas in Japan with evidence of ring fractures and a resurgent dome. The Takahinata lava dome was last active about 350,000 years ago according to a fission-track date. Onikobe was active until about 0.2 million years ago (Nakano et al., 2001-). Geysers were said to be discovered about 1700 years ago at Onikobe, and geysers and hot springs are present today within the caldera.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Onikobe.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Onikobe
Is Onikobe an active volcano?+
Onikobe is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Onikobe?+
Onikobe has a summit elevation of 769 meters (2,523 feet) above sea level. At 769 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Onikobe?+
Onikobe 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 Onikobe located?+
Onikobe is located in Japan, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 38.830° latitude, 140.695° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Onikobe?+
Onikobe 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.
