Global Volcanism Program

Most Recent Bulletin Report: March 1989 (SEAN 14:03) Cite this Report

Highly active fumaroles in the S part of the caldera

Two groups of highly active fumaroles were observed in the S part of the caldera during a 14 January aerial inspection. In autumn 1988, land observations showed solfataric activity, pressurized gas emission, and sulfur deposits within a 170 x 50 m area. Gas temperatures were 100-104°C.

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

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

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

12/1981 (SEAN 06:12) Weak gas release from S part of caldera

04/1987 (SEAN 12:04) Fumarolic activity

03/1989 (SEAN 14:03) Highly active fumaroles in the S part of the caldera

Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)

December 1981 (SEAN 06:12) Cite this Report

Weak gas release from S part of caldera

Weak gas release was occurring inside the S part of the caldera [during the 20 September overflight].

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg, Sakhalin Complex Institute.

April 1987 (SEAN 12:04) Cite this Report

Fumarolic activity

Moderate fumarolic activity was noted in the crater and on the W outer slope during 11 and 31 aerial October observations.

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg and B. Piskunov, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

March 1989 (SEAN 14:03) Cite this Report

Highly active fumaroles in the S part of the caldera

Two groups of highly active fumaroles were observed in the S part of the caldera during a 14 January aerial inspection. In autumn 1988, land observations showed solfataric activity, pressurized gas emission, and sulfur deposits within a 170 x 50 m area. Gas temperatures were 100-104°C.

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

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.

Synonyms

Ushishiru | Usisiru | Usasyr | Yankicha | Ryponkicha

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

290210

1884 CE

357 m / 1,171 ft

47.5125°N
152.8139°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Caldera

Volcano Types
Caldera
Lava dome(s)

Rock Types

Major
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Oceanic crust (< 15 km)

Population

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

0
0
16
275

Geological Summary

The subaerial portion of Ushishur volcano in the central Kuriles is exposed in two small islands, the southern containing the summit caldera and the northern a portion of the volcano's flanks. A small 1.6-km-wide caldera that formed about 9,400 years ago is narrowly breached on the south, allowing seawater to fill the caldera. Two andesitic lava domes occupy part of the caldera bay; two other older domes are joined by a sand bar to the SE caldera wall. The two younger domes, erupted sometime after the 1769 visit of Captain Snow, form islands in the bay. A cluster of strong fumaroles and hot springs are present along the SE caldera shoreline, and vigorous submarine hydrothermal activity has modified the geochemistry of water within the caldera bay. Aside from growth of the two younger lava domes, only minor phreatic eruptions have been recorded.

References

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

Gorshkov G S, 1958. Kurile Islands. Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields, Rome: IAVCEI, 7: 1-99.

Gorshkov G S, 1970. Volcanism and the Upper Mantle; Investigations in the Kurile Island Arc. New York: Plenum Publishing Corp, 385 p.

Sazonov A P, Gavrilenko G M, 1995. Lithology and geochemistry of bottom sediments in the crater bay, Ushishir volcanic island, Kuril Islands. Volc Seism, 16: 387-400 (English translation).

Eruptive History

There is data available for 4 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1884 Jul Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption

SE caldera wall

1884 Jul - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SE caldera wall

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
	1884 Jul	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1769 (after) Confirmed Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption

Center of caldera bay

1769 (after) - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Center of caldera bay

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava dome

1710 ± 10 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption

SE caldera wall

1710 ± 10 years - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SE caldera wall

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity	weak or small
	1710 ± 10 years	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

7450 BCE ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption

7450 BCE ± 50 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion	extremely violent or catastrophic
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
- - - -	- - - -	Caldera	Explosion
7450 BCE ± 50 years	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Ushishur.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Ushishur.

Photo Gallery

This 1.6-km-wide caldera formed about 9,400 years ago at the summit of Ushishur and now opens towards the south, allowing sea water to fill the caldera. Four lava domes (three of which are visible here) have grown within the caldera. An area containing fumaroles and hot springs along the SE caldera shoreline was a sacred place to Kuril Ainu people in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Photo by Yoshihiro Ishizuka, 2000 (Hokkaido University).

A phreatic explosion at the geothermal area to the lower left took place in July 1884. An area at the foot of the SE caldera wall containing fumaroles (to the lower left of this photo) was a sacred place to 18th to 19th century Ainu people. The caldera rim opens to the south with a 300-m-wide gap that allows sea water to flood the caldera floor. The peak to the left-center is one of two older lava domes connected by a grass-mantled sand bar to the SE caldera wall. Ketoi Island (right) is visible in the distance to the SW.

Photo by Yoshihiro Ishizuka, 2000 (Hokkaido University).

The 1.6-km-wide caldera of Ushishur volcano opens towards the south and formed during an eruption about 9,400 years ago. Two post-caldera lava domes that erupted sometime after a 1769 visit of Captain Snow form islands in the caldera bay. Two older domes in front of the islands are joined by a sand bar to the SE caldera wall. A northern island (top) consists of a portion of the flanks.

Photo by R. Bulgakov, 1990 (Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Yuzhno-Sakhalin).

GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Ushishur in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

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 Ushishur. 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 Ushishur. 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 Ushishur

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).