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Nasudake

Stratovolcano(es) in Japan

Last Eruption: 1963

Key Facts

Elevation

1,915 m (6,283 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano(es)

Location

37.125°, 139.963°

Region

Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

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Overview

The Nasudake volcanic group consists of a N-S-trending cluster of stratovolcanoes and lava domes at the north end of the Kanto Plain. Volcanic activity dates back about 500,000 years. Growth of three large basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcanoes, each lasting about 200,000 years, was followed by construction of three smaller andesitic stratovolcanoes, Asahidake, Futamatayama, and Chausudake.

Activity during the last 55,000 years included the collapse of Asahidake volcano about 30-40,000 years ago, producing the massive Ofujisan debris-avalanche deposit, which covers a broad area SE of the volcano. The youngest volcano, Chausudake, began forming about 16,000 years ago. Six magmatic eruptions took place since then, the latest in 1408-1410 CE, when the Chausudake summit lava dome formed.

These eruptions produced block-and-ash flows and concluded with the extrusion of lava flows. Smaller phreatic eruptions have occurred every few hundred years during the past 5,000 years.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

    Risk Level

    Population at RiskHigh
    Infrastructure RiskHigh
    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 Activity63 years agoHistoricalRecently 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: 283150
    • Evidence: Eruption Observed
    • Epoch: Holocene

    About the Photo

    A line of hikers at the lower left walk along a trail below the summit of Chausudake, the active cone of the Nasudake volcanic complex. This volcano group consists of a N-S-trending cluster of cones and lava domes at the N end of the Kanto Plain. Chausudake is a young cone that formed about 16,000 years ago. Six eruptions took place in 1408-1410 CE, when the youngest summit lava dome formed; additional smaller phreatic eruptions have occurred since then.

    Photo by Yukio Hayakawa, 1994 (Gunma University).

    Basic Information

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