Global Volcanism Program

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports available for Towada.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Towada.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Towada.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Aobuna

Stratovolcano

733 m

Goshikiiwa

Stratovolcano

613 m

Hakka

Stratovolcano

Herai-dake

Stratovolcano

Ninokura

Stratovolcano

Ohanabeyama
Ohanabe-yama

Stratovolcano

1011 m

Oirase

Cone

Towada-yama

Stratovolcano

1054 m

Towari-yama

Stratovolcano

991 m

Zakura Misaka

Stratovolcano

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Nakanoumi

Caldera

Towada

Pleistocene caldera

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Gomonseki
Gomon-ishi

Dome

402 m

Ogurayama
Ogura-yama

Dome

678 m

40° 27' 36" N

140° 54' 36" E

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

283271

915 CE

1,011 m / 3,317 ft

40.51°N
140.88°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Caldera

Volcano Types
Caldera
Stratovolcano(es)
Lava dome(s)

Rock Types

Major
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Dacite
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Rhyolite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

12,366
12,366
103,631
2,237,010

Geological Summary

The lake-filled, 11-km-wide, Towada caldera in northern Honshu formed during as many as six major explosive eruptions over a 40,000-year period ending about 13,000 years ago. Pre-caldera eruptive activity dates back about 2 million years and produced basaltic-to-dacitic lava cones. Following late-Pleistocene andesitic-to-rhyolitic caldera-forming eruptions, the basaltic Ninokura stratovolcano grew in the SSE section of the caldera. Successive dacitic-to-rhyolitic explosive eruptions from the Goshikiiwa cone led to the formation of the roughly 2-km-wide Nakanoumi caldera, whose SW and NE rims form peninsulas extending into Lake Towada. The andesitic-to-dacitic Ogurayama lava dome was built over the NE rim of Nakanoumi. The latest eruption took place in 915 CE, when eruptions from Ogurayama produced widespread ashfall and pyroclastic flows.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Hayakawa Y, 1983. Chuseri tephra formation from Towada volcano, Japan. Bull Volc Soc Japan (Kazan), 28: 263-273 (in Japanese with English abs).

Hayakawa Y, 1985. Pyroclastic geology of Towada volcano. Bull Earthq Res Inst, Univ Tokyo, 60: 507-592.

Hunter A G, Blake S, 1995. Petrogenetic evolution of a transitional tholeiitic-Calc-alkaline series: Towada volcano, Japan. J Petr, 36: 1579-1605.

Japan Meteorological Agency, 2013. National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency.

Kudo T, 2008. Radiocarbon ages of the eruptive products from the eruptive episodes E and G, Towada volcano, northeast Japan. Bull Volc Soc Japan (Kazan), 53: 193-199 (in Japanese with English abs).

Nakagawa H, Chuman N, Ishida T, Matsuyama T, Nanasaki O, Oide K, Oike S, Takahashi H, 1972. Historical development of Towada volcano-an outline. Tohoku Univ Inst Geol Paleont Contr, 73: 7-18 (in Japanese with English abs).

Nakano S, Yamamoto T, Iwaya T, Itoh J, Takada A, 2001-. Quaternary Volcanoes of Japan. Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/strata/VOL_JP/.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 8 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

0915 Aug 17 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5

Episode 1 | Eruption

Goshikiiwa (NE rim Nakanoumi crater)

0915 Aug 17 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 10 Events for Episode 1 at Goshikiiwa (NE rim Nakanoumi crater)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava dome
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
- - - -	- - - -	Lahar or Mudflow
- - - -	- - - -	Property Damage
0915 Aug 17	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

0750 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption

Nakanoumi, To-B tephra

0750 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Nakanoumi, To-B tephra

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
0750 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

4150 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5

Episode 1 | Eruption

Goshikiiwa (Nakanoumi), To-C tephra

4150 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Goshikiiwa (Nakanoumi), To-C tephra

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
4150 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

5550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption

Goshikiiwa, To-D' tephra

5550 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Goshikiiwa, To-D' tephra

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Ash
	5550 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

6250 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption

Goshikiiwa, To-D tephra; Oguni Pumice

6250 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Goshikiiwa, To-D tephra; Oguni Pumice

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
6250 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

7250 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption

Goshikiiwa, To-E tephra; Nambu Pumice

7250 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Goshikiiwa, To-E tephra; Nambu Pumice

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
7250 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

8250 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5

Episode 1 | Eruption

Goshikiiwa, To-F tephra

8250 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Goshikiiwa, To-F tephra

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
8250 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

9490 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption

Nakanoumi, To-G tephra; Shingo Pumice

9490 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Nakanoumi, To-G tephra; Shingo Pumice

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Scoria
9490 BCE (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Towada.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Towada.

Photo Gallery

The 11-km-wide lake-filled Towada caldera formed during as many as six major explosive eruptions over a 40,000-year period ending about 13,000 years ago. This view from the south shows the western and northern caldera rims, which reach up to 500 m above the lake. The base of the caldera is 380 m below the lake surface.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).

The peninsula across the center of the photo is the SW rim of Nakanoumi caldera. The 3-km-wide caldera formed about 5,400 years ago during the largest Towada Holocene eruption . The eruption was followed by the collapse of the Goshikiiwa cone at the southern end of the caldera. Clouds obscure the western caldera rim in the background.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).

The rounded Ogurayama lava dome to the upper right formed at the end of the 915 CE Towada eruption. Three eruptions were accompanied by the emplacement of the 5 km³ Kemanai pyroclastic flow, which covered several large wooden buildings along the Yonesawa River. The dome formed along the NE rim of the Nakanoumi caldera, with its SW rim forming the peninsula in the center of the photo. The northern wall of Towada caldera appears in the distance.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).

The 11-km-wide lake-filled Towada caldera, whose far northern wall is seen here in the distance, formed during a series of major explosive eruptions over a 40,000-year period ending about 13,000 years ago. The peninsula across the center is the rim of Nakanoumi caldera that formed by the collapse of the Goshikiiwa cone. The Ogurayama dome to the upper right was the source of the 915 CE eruption.

Photo by Yukio Hayakawa (Gunma University).

A roadcut west of the Ninokura dam exposes deposits from Towada. The thick light-colored unit at the base is the Hachinohe ignimbrite that formed about 13,000 years ago during the last of a series of explosive eruptions that resulted in the incremental formation of Towada's 11-km-wide caldera. The thinner light- and dark-colored deposits above the Hachinohe ignimbrite were produced by post-caldera eruptions, the most recent of which took place in 915 CE.

Photo by Yukio Hayakawa (Gunma University).

The 11-km-wide Towada caldera, seen here from the E, formed during as many as six major explosive eruptions over a 40,000-year period ending about 13,000 years ago. The two peninsulas extending into the large caldera lake are the rims of Nakanoumi caldera, formed by collapse of the Goshikiiwa cone in the SSE section of the caldera. The rounded lava dome that was constructed at the tip of lower peninsula is Ogurayama, the source of the 915 CE eruption.

Copyrighted photo by Yoshihiro Ishizuka (Japanese Quaternary Volcanoes database, RIODB, http://riodb02.ibase.aist.go.jp/strata/VOL_JP/EN/index.htm and Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.gsj.jp/).

GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 2 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number	Sample Description	Lava Source	Collection Date
NMNH 116397-3	Pumice	--	--
NMNH 116397-4	Pumice	--	--

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Towada. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Towada. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Towada

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).