About Kussharo
Kussharo is a caldera rising to 574 meters (1,883 feet) in Japan's Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1320 CE. The volcano has produced 6 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Kussharo is located in Japan, within the Kuril Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 43.62° N, 144.43° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 574 meters above sea level, Kussharo 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
Kussharo 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 Kussharo, 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.
Eruption History Summary
Kussharo has 6 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 5800 BCE to 1320 CE. This eruption frequency indicates a moderately active volcanic system with periodic reawakenings.
Significance
With 6 recorded eruptions on file, Kussharo has enough documented activity to help scientists identify patterns in its eruptive behavior.
GVP Reference Summary
The 20 x 26 km Kussharo caldera (also spelled Kutcharo or Kuccharo), is the largest of a cluster of calderas in NE Hokkaido. The caldera was formed in a series of major eruptions between about 340,000 and 30,000 years ago. Nakajima, a Holocene post-caldera dacitic-to-rhyolitic lava-dome complex, forms an island in the large lake that fills much of the western half of the caldera. The Holocene Atosanupuri stratovolcano and lava-dome complex is located near the center of the caldera, east of the crescent-shaped Lake Kutcharo. Many lava domes were formed between about 1000-10,000 years ago. No historical eruptions are known, although intense fumarolic activity occurs on and around Atosanupuri volcano and along the shores of Lake Kutcharo.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
6 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1320 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Atosanupuri |
| 700 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Atosanupuri |
| 450 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Atosanupuri |
| 1550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Atosanupuri |
| 3550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Atosanupuri |
| 5800 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Atosanupuri |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Kussharo
Is Kussharo an active volcano?+
Kussharo is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1320 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Kussharo last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Kussharo occurred in 1320 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Kussharo has 6 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Kussharo?+
Kussharo has a summit elevation of 574 meters (1,883 feet) above sea level. At 574 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Kussharo?+
Kussharo 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 Kussharo located?+
Kussharo is located in Japan, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kuril Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 43.615° latitude, 144.427° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Kussharo?+
Kussharo 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.
