Sakurajima

Geological history

Sakurajima is located in the Aira caldera, formed in an enormous eruption 22,000 years ago. Several hundred cubic kilometres of ash and pumice were ejected, causing the magma chamber underneath the erupting vents to collapse. The resulting caldera is over 20km across. Tephra fell as far as 1000km from the volcano.

Related Topics:
Aira caldera - Cubic kilometre - Ash - Pumice - Magma chamber - Tephra

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Sakurajima was formed by later activity within the caldera, beginning about 13,000 years ago. It lies about 8km south of the centre of the caldera. Its first eruption in recorded history occurred in AD708. Most of its eruptions are strombolian, affecting only the summit areas, but larger plinian eruptions have occurred in 1471-1476, 1779-1782 and 1914.

Related Topics:
Strombolian - Plinian

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