About Nigorikawa
Nigorikawa is a caldera rising to 356 meters (1,168 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
Nigorikawa is located in Japan, within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 42.12° N, 140.45° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At just 356 meters above sea level, Nigorikawa is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. 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
The Mori geothermal field is located in the late-Pleistocene Nigorikawa caldera in SW Hokkaido. The small 3-km-wide caldera along the shores of Uchiura Bay WNW of Komagatake volcano, was formed during a major explosive eruption about 12,000 years ago. The caldera-forming eruption included the emplacement of pyroclastic-fall and -surge deposits and pyroclastic-flow deposits that extend north and west to the Pacific coast. The flat-bottomed caldera floor is intersected by roads and houses of the town of Nigorigawa, and a river of the same name drains the caldera to the NE through a notch in the caldera rim.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Nigorikawa.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Nigorikawa
Is Nigorikawa an active volcano?+
Nigorikawa 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 Nigorikawa?+
Nigorikawa has a summit elevation of 356 meters (1,168 feet) above sea level. At 356 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Nigorikawa?+
Nigorikawa 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 Nigorikawa located?+
Nigorikawa is located in Japan, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 42.120° latitude, 140.450° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Nigorikawa?+
Nigorikawa 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.
