Kussharo
Caldera in Japan
Key Facts
Elevation
574 m (1,883 ft)
Type
Caldera
Location
43.615°, 144.427°
Region
Kuril Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Dacite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
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Overview
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.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows and surges
- Large explosive eruptions (VEI 4+)
- Ash fall and tephra deposits
- Lahars and debris flows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 706 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 285080
- •Evidence: Eruption Dated
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The 20 x 26 km Kussharo caldera, seen here from its western rim, is the largest of a cluster of calderas in NE Hokkaido. It formed around 30,000 years ago. Nakajima, a Holocene post-caldera lava dome complex, forms the large island to the left that fills much of the western half of the caldera. Atosanupuri is located near the center of the caldera, east of the lake.
Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.