No latest activity reported for Kusatsu-Shirane.

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Hayakawa Y, Aramaki S, Shimozuru D, Ossaka J, 1981. Kusatsu-Shirane volcano. {In}: Aramaki S (ed) {Symp Arc Volcano Field Excur Guide to Fuji, Asama, Kusatsu-Shirane and Nantai Volcanoes}, Tokyo: Volc Soc Japan, 1: 49-63

Hayakawa Y, Yui M, 1989. Eruptive history of the Kusatsu Shirane volcano. {Quat Res}, 28: 1-17 (in Japanese with English abs)

Japan Meteorological Agency, 1996. {National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (second edition)}. Tokyo: Japan Meteorological Agency, 502 p (in Japanese)

Kudo T, Hoshizumi H, 2006-. Catalog of eruptive events within the last 10,000 years in Japan, database of Japanese active volcanoes. Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://riodb02.ibase.aist.go.jp/db099/eruption/index.html

Kuno H, 1962. Japan, Taiwan and Marianas. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields}, Rome: IAVCEI, 11: 1-332

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/

Suzuki T, 1996. Discharge rates of fallout tephra and frequency of plinian eruptions during the last 400,000 years in the southern Northeast Japan arc. {Quat Internatl}, 34-36: 79-87

Uto K, Hayakawa Y, Aramaki S, Ossaka J, 1983. Geologic map of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano. {Geol Surv Japan}, 1:25,000 geol map

The summit of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano, located immediately north of Asama volcano, consists of a series of overlapping pyroclastic cones and three crater lakes. The andesitic-to-dacitic volcano was formed in three eruptive stages beginning in the early to mid Pleistocene. The Pleistocene Oshi pyroclastic flow produced extensive welded tuffs and non-welded pumice that covers much of the east, south and SW flanks. The latest eruptive stage began about 14,000 years ago. All historical eruptions have consisted of phreatic explosions from the acidic crater lakes or their margins. Fumaroles and hot springs that dot the volcano's flanks have strongly acidified many rivers draining from the volcano. The crater was the site of active sulfur mining for many years during the 19th and 20th centuries.