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Fuji

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  • Japan
  • Honshu
  • Stratovolcano
  • 1708
  • Country
  • Subregion Name
  • Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 3776 m
    12385 ft
  • 35.358°
  • 138.731°
  • Elevation
  •  
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

16 May-22 May 2001

Based on information from JMA, VRC reported that 67 earthquakes occurred at Mt. Fuji on 30 April, which was the highest number since 53 earthquakes occurred on 18 December 2000. Activity had been relatively low since January 2001. During 3-9 May ~130 predominately low-frequency earthquakes occurred that were located ~15 km beneath an area just NE of the volcano's summit. No other anomalous volcanic activity was observed by NIED.

Sources: Volcano Research Center-Earthquake Research Institute (University of Tokyo)



 Available Weekly Reports




2001: January | May |

16 May 2001              Back to Top

Based on information from JMA, VRC reported that 67 earthquakes occurred at Mt. Fuji on 30 April, which was the highest number since 53 earthquakes occurred on 18 December 2000. Activity had been relatively low since January 2001. During 3-9 May ~130 predominately low-frequency earthquakes occurred that were located ~15 km beneath an area just NE of the volcano's summit. No other anomalous volcanic activity was observed by NIED.

Sources: Volcano Research Center-Earthquake Research Institute (University of Tokyo)

24 January 2001              Back to Top

According to a Reuters article from 29 January, the high number of low-frequency earthquakes that were recorded at Fuji over the past several months (133 in October, 222 in November, and 144 in December) decreased to 36 in January.

Sources: Reuters

17 January 2001              Back to Top

Several news reports have noted abnormally high earthquake activity during the past several months at Fuji. Usually 1 to 2 low-frequency earthquakes per month are recorded; but recent monthly counts were 35 for September 2000, 133 for October, 222 for November, and 143 for December. No other measured parameters changed at the volcano. While the earthquake counts are abnormally high, scientists do not believe that they are indicative of an imminent eruption. The volcano is being carefully monitored.

Sources: New York Times , New York Times



Summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

Start Date Stop Date Eruption Certainty VEI Evidence Activity Area or Unit
[ 1854 Dec 23 ] [ 1855 Jan 9 ] Uncertain    
[ 1770 Sep 16 ] [ Unknown ] Uncertain     South flank?
[ 1708 Dec ] [ 1709 Jan 16 (?) ] Uncertain    
1707 Dec 16 1708 Feb 24 (?) Confirmed 5 Historical SE flank (Hoei Craters)
1700 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
[ 1627 ] [ Unknown ] Uncertain    
[ 1560 Jan 4 ] [ Unknown ] Uncertain    
1511 Sep 1 ± 30 days Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1435 Dec 31 ± 60 days Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical North flank (Onagare lava?)
[ 1427 Jun 28 ] [ Unknown ] Uncertain    
1083 Apr 17 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1033 Jan 19 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical Summit, SSE flank (Nishi-Asakizuka)
[ 1017 Oct 1 ± 30 days ] [ Unknown ] Uncertain     North flank
999 Mar Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical South flank ?
[ 993 Sep 1 ± 30 days ] [ Unknown ] Uncertain    
[ 952 Mar (?) ] [ Unknown ] Uncertain     NE flank
937 Dec 18 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical North flank (Kenmarubi II?)
932 Nov 19 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical North flank (Kenmarubi I)
870 Aug Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
864 Jun 12 (?) 866 Feb 1 ± 30 days Confirmed 3 Historical NW flank (Nagao-yama, Kudari-yama)
830 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical NW flank (Koriana)
826 Dec 31 ± 30 days Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
800 Apr 11 802 Feb 6 (in or after) Confirmed 4 Historical Summit, NE and NW flanks (Tenjin-yama)
781 Jul 781 Jul Confirmed 3 Historical
720 ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed 2 Radiocarbon (uncorrected) NW flank (Kori-ike, Hakudairyuo)
530 (?) Unknown Confirmed 3 Tephrochronology South flank (Takabachi)
520 ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed 2 Radiocarbon (uncorrected) SE flank (Makuiwa, Nishi-Futatsuzuka)
470 ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed 3 Radiocarbon (uncorrected) SE flank (Kita-Kansu-yama)
400 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Tephrochronology SE flank (Akatsuka)
370 ± 200 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) SSE flank (Obuchi Craters)
350 ± 300 years Unknown Confirmed 3 Radiocarbon (uncorrected) SE flank (Kurotsuka)
300 (?) Unknown Confirmed 1 Tephrochronology NW flank (Oniwa-Okuniwa)
250 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Tephrochronology NW flank (Kita-Koriike)
240 ± 150 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) SE flank, Tephra layer S-24-2
220 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Tephrochronology NE flank (Hinokimarubi lava flow)
200 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Tephrochronology NW flank (Sajiki-yama)
100 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Tephrochronology NW flank (Ohira-yama)
50 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Tephrochronology NW flank (Futatsuzuka)
100 BCE ± 150 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) South flank
190 BCE ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed   Tephrochronology Tephra layer Yu-2
520 BCE ± 300 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (corrected) Tephra layer S-18
780 BCE ± 500 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (corrected) Tephra layer SPY4
930 BCE (after) Unknown Confirmed 5 Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Upper SE flank, Tephra layer Zu
1010 BCE ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (corrected) Tephra unit SYP3
1030 BCE (?) Unknown Confirmed 4 Tephrochronology NW flank (Omuro-yama)
1300 BCE ± 150 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (corrected) Tephra unit SYP2
1350 BCE (?) Unknown Confirmed 5 Tephrochronology Tephra layer Os
1450 BCE ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed   Tephrochronology Tephra layer S-10
1510 BCE ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (corrected) Tephra unit SYP1
1850 BCE ± 150 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected)
2050 BCE (?) Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected)
2450 BCE ± 500 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Tephra layer SNG
2550 BCE (?) Unknown Confirmed   Tephrochronology Nihon-Land lava flow
2800 BCE ± 300 years Unknown Confirmed   Tephrochronology Tephra layer S-6
3050 BCE (?) Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Tephra layer S-5
3690 BCE ± 100 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected)
4120 BCE ± 300 years Unknown Confirmed   Tephrochronology Tephra layer S-0-6
4730 BCE ± 500 years Unknown Confirmed   Tephrochronology Tephra layer S-0-5
5070 BCE ± 200 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Tephra layer I-7
5540 BCE ± 200 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Tephra layer S-0-4
6050 BCE (?) Unknown Confirmed   Tephrochronology Nashigahara lava flow
6240 BCE ± 300 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Tephra layer S-0-3
6580 BCE (in or before) Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Saruhashi and Shiraito lava flows
7310 BCE ± 500 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Motomura-yama lava flow
7530 BCE ± 300 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Tephra layer S-0-2
7820 BCE ± 200 years Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) Tephra layer S-0-1
8540 BCE (after) Unknown Confirmed   Radiocarbon (uncorrected) South flank? (Mishima)

The conical form of Fuji-san, Japan's highest and most noted volcano, belies its complex origin. The modern postglacial stratovolcano is constructed above a group of overlapping volcanoes, remnants of which form irregularities on Fuji's profile. Growth of the Younger Fuji volcano began with a period of voluminous lava flows from 11,000 to 8000 years before present (BP), accounting for four-fifths of the volume of the Younger Fuji volcano. Minor explosive eruptions dominated activity from 8000 to 4500 BP, with another period of major lava flows occurring from 4500 to 3000 BP. Subsequently, intermittent major explosive eruptions occurred, with subordinate lava flows and small pyroclastic flows. Summit eruptions dominated from 3000 to 2000 BP, after which flank vents were active. The extensive basaltic lava flows from the summit and some of the more than 100 flank cones and vents blocked drainages against the Tertiary Misaka Mountains on the north side of the volcano, forming the Fuji Five Lakes, popular resort destinations. The last confirmed eruption of this dominantly basaltic volcano in 1707 was Fuji's largest during historical time. It deposited ash on Edo (Tokyo) and formed a large new crater on the east flank.