What kind of volcano is Kusatsu-Shirane?

Kusatsu-Shirane is classified as a Stratovolcano(es) in Japan. Its tectonic setting is Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km).

How is seismicity near Kusatsu-Shirane monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

JapanTokyo & Kanto Plain

Turquoise acidic crater lake Yugama on Kusatsu-Shirane volcano, Japan

Photo:Lee Siebertvia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #283120

36.62°N, 138.53°E

Erupted since 2000

Japan→

Volcano Kusatsu-Shirane

Above Japan's famous Kusatsu hot springs lies Yugama, a turquoise crater lake that is among the most acidic on Earth. In January 2018 Moto-Shirane, a cone thought quiet for thousands of years, erupted without warning over a ski resort, showering a gondola and soldiers training on the slopes with rocks; one person died and eleven were injured.

Last Eruption

2018

Erupted since 2000

Summit Elevation

2.2 km

Stratovolcano · Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Seismic State

Normal Baseline

0 events (1.0x rate)

Interactive Volcano & Seismicity Map

Seismicity within 50 km radius, active VAAC ash plumes, and tectonic plate boundaries.

Recent seismicity within 50 km

0 events in the last 12 h within 25 km of the crater.

No catalogued earthquakes within 50 km in the last 90 days.

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcano

Kusatsu-Shirane is an active Stratovolcano(es) formed in an active Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km). Dominant lithology: Andesite / Basaltic Andesite.

Edifice TypeStratovolcano

Major RockAndesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic SettingSubduction zone

Volcanic ArcNortheast Japan Volcanic Arc

Volcanic Dossier

VN #283120

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

CountryJapan

Crater Coordinates36.618°, 138.528°

Summit Elevation2.2 km

SubregionNortheast Japan Volcanic Arc

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#283120)

Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure

All 18 Networks & VAAC →

Seismic ObservatoryJMA

Japan Meteorological Agency (Volcano Observation)

Official Portal

ICAO Aviation Ash Center

Tokyo VAAC (JMA)

Tokyo, Japan

VAAC Advisory Desk

Swarm telemetry correlated across 18 networks against a 30-day baseline.Read Science & Physics →

Regional Seismic Profile

Tokyo & Kanto Plain

Explore live seismic monitoring, historical danger benchmarks, fault slip models and recurrence intervals for Tokyo & Kanto Plain.

Open Regional Hub

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols

The most recent eruption of Kusatsu-Shirane recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2018.

Catalogue: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program.Smithsonian GVP profile