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Hakusan

Stratovolcano in Japan

Last Eruption: 1659

Key Facts

Elevation

2,702 m (8,865 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

36.155°, 136.771°

Region

Nankai Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Hakusan is a complex andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano near the western coast of central Honshu. It was constructed over a high basement of sedimentary rocks in a region of very heavy snowfall that has contributed to erosional dissection. Holocene eruptions have consisted of phreatic or phreatomagmatic explosions from several summit craters.

Partial collapse of the summit produced a debris avalanche down the E flank during the mid-Holocene. Eruptions were recorded over almost a thousand-year period until the 17th century.

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
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Silica Content
Intermediate (57-63% 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 Activity367 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 Western Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The Western 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: 283050
  • Evidence: Eruption Observed
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Hakusan, seen here from the WNW, contains multiple vents along a roughly N-S line. Holocene eruptions have consisted of phreatic or phreatomagmatic explosions from several summit craters. Partial collapse of the summit produced a debris avalanche down the E flank. Eruptions were recorded over almost a thousand-year period until the 17th century.

Photo by Ishikawa Prefecture, 1994 (courtesy Toshio Higashino, Haku-san Nature Conservation Center).

Basic Information

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