About Shiribetsu
Shiribetsu is a stratovolcano rising to 1,107 meters (3,632 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
Shiribetsu is located in Japan, within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 42.77° N, 140.92° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,107 meters above sea level, Shiribetsu is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
Shiribetsu volcano, located immediately SE of Yotei volcano in southwestern Hokkaido, is a small, 1107-m-high andesitic stratovolcano that contains a 1.5-km-wide crater breached widely to the west. It was created by a massive debris avalanche that removed the summit and swept more than 7 km to the west, forming a hummocky deposit at the SE foot of Yotei volcano. Shiribetsu volcano was mapped as Holocene in age (Japan Association of Quaternary Research, 1987), however Nakano et al. (2001-) list its age as several hundred thousand years.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Shiribetsu.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Shiribetsu
Is Shiribetsu an active volcano?+
Shiribetsu 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 Shiribetsu?+
Shiribetsu has a summit elevation of 1,107 meters (3,632 feet) above sea level. At 1,107 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Shiribetsu?+
Shiribetsu 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 Shiribetsu located?+
Shiribetsu is located in Japan, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 42.767° latitude, 140.916° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Shiribetsu?+
Shiribetsu 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.
