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Aogashima

Stratovolcano in Japan

Last Eruption: 1785

Key Facts

Elevation

423 m (1,388 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

32.458°, 139.759°

Region

Izu Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

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Overview

The small 2. 5 x 3. 5 km dominantly basaltic island of Aogashima is surrounded by steep cliffs and contains a small 1.

7 x 1. 5-km-wide caldera. Two pyroclastic cones were formed inside the caldera during the latest eruption from 1780 to 1785.

Growth of the volcano began with construction of the Kurosaki stratovolcano in the NW part of the island, after which the main stratovolcano began growing in the SE. Both summit and flank vents produced pyroclastic surges and lava flows. Late in the construction of the main cone a 1-1.

5 km crater was formed on the SE flank. About 3000 years ago pyroclastic surges swept over the entire island. During about the next 600 years, lava flows and scoria deposits filled the SE crater, which also collapsed repeatedly.

The current Ikenosawa crater was considered by Takada et al. (1992) to have formed by ring collapse at the time of a debris avalanche, after which the volcano was quiescent until the eruptions of historical time.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskHigh
Infrastructure RiskModerate
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Silica Content
Low (45-52% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Holocene
Evidence
Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity241 years agoHistoricalHistorically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Real-time seismic monitoring
Geological Survey of Japan
Geochemical monitoring
Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

  • Smithsonian ID: 284060
  • Evidence: Eruption Observed
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

The 2.5 x 3.5 km island of Aogashima, seen here from the SE, is located in the central Izu Islands. It is has steep cliffs on all sides and contains a small 1.5 x 1.7 km caldera. Two cones were formed inside the caldera during the latest eruption from 1780 to 1785.

Photo by Richard Fiske (Smithsonian Institution).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.