Aira
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc, Japan. This page separates the permanent volcano catalogue, historical eruption records, and selective weekly activity reports.
- Coordinates
- 31.58° N, 130.66° E
- Elevation
- 1,117 m
- Last recorded eruption
- 2026 CE
- Historical eruption records
- 53
- Primary type
- Caldera
- Evidence
- Eruption Observed
- GVP database
- 5.4.0
- Catalogue revision
- Revision 2
Volcano profile
- Volcanic landform
- Caldera
- Tectonic setting
- Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km)
- Geologic epoch
- Holocene
- Major rock type
- Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
- Region
- Western Pacific Volcanic Regions
- Subregion
- Ryukyu Volcanic Arc
Geological summary
The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the caldera, along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim and built an island that was joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4,850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent eruptions since the 8th century have deposited ash on the city of Kagoshima, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest recorded eruption took place during 1471-76.
Separate activity dataset
Weekly volcanic activity reports
Smithsonian/USGS weekly reports are selective and preliminary. They are not a comprehensive list of all eruptions or volcanic activity.
- Preliminary · selective report
Continuing Eruptive Activity
16 Sept 2026 to 22 Sept 2026 · published 24 Sept 2026, 11:03 UTC
Provider alert text: Alert Level remained at 3
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 14-21 September. Crater incandescence was visible in nighttime webcam images during 14-18 September. Volcanologists conducted a field survey on 15 September and measured high sulfur dioxide emissions, averaging 2,600 tons per day. A total of 32 eruptive events during the week produced ash plumes that rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater and ejected large blocks 600 m from the vent. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to be cautious within 1 km of both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
- Observatory
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Report sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution, and U.S. Geological Survey, Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
Open the original weekly report - Preliminary · selective report
Continuing Eruptive Activity
10 Sept 2026 to 16 Sept 2026 · published 17 Sept 2026, 05:20 UTC
Provider alert text: Alert Level remained at 3
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 8-14 September. Crater incandescence was visible in nighttime webcam images during 11-14 September. An eruptive event at 1246 on 8 September generated an ash plume that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim and drifted S. Volcanologists conducted a field survey on 10 September and measured high sulfur dioxide emissions, averaging 2,100 tons per day. A total of eight eruptive events during 13-14 September produced ash plumes that rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater and ejected large blocks 600 m from the vent. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to be cautious within 1 km of both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
- Observatory
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Report sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution, and U.S. Geological Survey, Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
Open the original weekly report - Preliminary · selective report
Continuing Eruptive Activity
27 Aug 2026 to 2 Sept 2026 · published 03 Sept 2026, 08:12 UTC
Provider alert text: Alert Level remained at 3
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 24-31 August. Crater incandescence was visible in nighttime webcam images during 24-28 August. An explosion at 0951 on 25 August generated an ash plume that rose 400 n above the summit, into weather clouds. Volcanologists conducted a field survey on 27 August and measured very high sulfur dioxide emissions, averaging 3,400 tons per day. There were 22 eruptive events recorded during 28-31 August generating ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to be cautious within 1 km of both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
- Observatory
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Report sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution, and U.S. Geological Survey, Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
Open the original weekly report - Preliminary · selective report
Continuing Eruptive Activity
20 Aug 2026 to 26 Aug 2026 · published 27 Aug 2026, 07:30 UTC
Provider alert text: Alert Level remained at 3
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 17-24 August. Crater incandescence was visible in nighttime webcam images. An eruptive event at 2029 on 17 August generated an ash plume that rose as high as 1.9 km above the summit. An ash plume from an explosion at 0538 on 19 August rose as high as 1.3 km above the summit and drifted NW. Very small eruptive events were recorded during 21-24 August. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to be cautious within 1 km of both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
- Observatory
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Report sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution, and U.S. Geological Survey, Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
Open the original weekly report - Preliminary · selective report
Continuing Eruptive Activity
13 Aug 2026 to 19 Aug 2026 · published 20 Aug 2026, 08:08 UTC
Provider alert text: Alert Level remained at 3
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 10-17 August. Crater incandescence was visible in nighttime webcam images. The monitoring networks recorded a total of 14 eruptive events and one explosion. Eruptive events during 10-15 August generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.8 km above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. Emissions were sometimes continuous, notably during 0020-0150 on 12 August, during 1906-2220 on 14 August, and during 1019-1150 on 15 August. An explosion at 2232 on 13 August ejected large blocks 800-1,100 m from the vent; plume characteristics were not reported. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to be cautious within 2 km of both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
- Observatory
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Report sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution, and U.S. Geological Survey, Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
Open the original weekly report - Preliminary · selective report
Continuing Eruptive Activity
6 Aug 2026 to 12 Aug 2026 · published 13 Aug 2026, 08:03 UTC
Provider alert text: Alert Level remained at 3
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 3-10 August. Sakurajima exhibited ongoing eruptive activity that began in early August 2026, with eruptions producing ash plumes up to 2.2 km above the crater, ejections of large ballistic rocks up to 600 m from the crater, and pyroclastic flows. Monitoring data indicated continuing ground deformation beneath the Aira Caldera as well as high sulfur dioxide emissions. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to be cautious within 2 km of both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
- Observatory
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Report sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution, and U.S. Geological Survey, Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
Open the original weekly report
Historical catalogue records
Eruption history
Dates can be approximate, incomplete, or BCE. These are historical catalogue observations, not a statement about present activity.
| Start | End | Activity | Confirmation | VEI | Evidence | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-03-25 CE | > 2026-03-23 CE | Confirmed EruptionMinamidake summit crater | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 22203Database 5.4.0 |
| 1955-10-13 CE | 2016-08-22 CE | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake and east flank (Showa crater) | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17088Database 5.4.0 |
| 1954-11-16 CE (day uncertainty +/- 15) | 1954-12-16 CE (day uncertainty +/- 15) | Uncertain EruptionMinami-dake | Uncertain | ?1 | Not supplied | GVP 17087Database 5.4.0 |
| 1950-06-29 CE | 1950-09-09 CE | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17086Database 5.4.0 |
| 1948-07-27 CE | 1948-07-27 CE | Confirmed EruptionEast flank of Minami-dake (750 m) | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17085Database 5.4.0 |
| 1946-01-16 CE (day uncertainty +/- 15) | 1946-11-16 CE (day uncertainty +/- 15) | Confirmed EruptionEast flank of Minami-dake (750 m) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17084Database 5.4.0 |
| 1942-07-16 CE | 1942-07-16 CE | Confirmed EruptionEast flank of Minami-dake (750 m) | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17083Database 5.4.0 |
| 1941-04-28 CE | 1941-08-26 CE | Confirmed EruptionEast flank of Minami-dake (750 m) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17082Database 5.4.0 |
| 1940-04-24 CE | 1940-07-09 CE | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake and east flank (750 m) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17081Database 5.4.0 |
| 1939-10-26 CE | 1939-11-12 CE (day qualifier ?) | Confirmed EruptionEast flank of Minami-dake (750 m) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17080Database 5.4.0 |
| 1938-02-25 CE | 1938-03-31 CE | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17079Database 5.4.0 |
| 1935-09-20 CE | 1935-09-24 CE | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17078Database 5.4.0 |
| 1914-01-12 CE | 1915-05-16 CE (day uncertainty +/- 15) | Confirmed EruptionWest, east and SE flanks | Confirmed | 4 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17077Database 5.4.0 |
| 1899-09-24 CE | 1899-09-25 CE | Uncertain EruptionMinami-dake | Uncertain | ?1 | Not supplied | GVP 17072Database 5.4.0 |
| 1860-07-02 CE (day uncertainty +/- 182) | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17071Database 5.4.0 |
| 1799-03-27 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17070Database 5.4.0 |
| 1797 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17069Database 5.4.0 |
| 1794 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17068Database 5.4.0 |
| 1792 CE | Not supplied | Uncertain EruptionMinami-dake | Uncertain | ?2 | Not supplied | GVP 17067Database 5.4.0 |
| 1791-09-11 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17066Database 5.4.0 |
| 1790-07-29 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17065Database 5.4.0 |
| 1785-11-20 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17064Database 5.4.0 |
| 1783-09-03 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17063Database 5.4.0 |
| 1782-01-18 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionNE flank (offshore) | Confirmed | ?2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17062Database 5.4.0 |
| 1779-11-08 CE | 1781-05 CE | Confirmed EruptionNE flank, off NE coast, south flank | Confirmed | 4 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17061Database 5.4.0 |
| 1756-09-09 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17059Database 5.4.0 |
| 1749-09 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake summit, west flank? | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17058Database 5.4.0 |
| 1742-04-06 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | ?2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17057Database 5.4.0 |
| 1706-01 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | ?2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17056Database 5.4.0 |
| 1678-03-01 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | ?2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17055Database 5.4.0 |
| 1670-06-01 CE | Not supplied | Uncertain Eruption | Uncertain | ?2 | Not supplied | GVP 17054Database 5.4.0 |
| 1642-04-06 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | ?2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17053Database 5.4.0 |
| 1478-09-23 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | ?2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17052Database 5.4.0 |
| 1471-11-03 CE | 1476-10-08 CE (day qualifier >) | Confirmed EruptionNE and SW flanks, summit crater | Confirmed | ?5 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17051Database 5.4.0 |
| 1468 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17050Database 5.4.0 |
| 778 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | ?0 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17049Database 5.4.0 |
| 766-07-20 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | ^3 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17048Database 5.4.0 |
| 764-01 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionEast flank (Nabe-yama) | Confirmed | 4 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17047Database 5.4.0 |
| 716 CE | 718 CE | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | ^3 | Observations: Reported | GVP 17046Database 5.4.0 |
| 712 CE | Not supplied | Uncertain Eruption | Uncertain | ?3 | Not supplied | GVP 17045Database 5.4.0 |
| 708 CE | Not supplied | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | ^3 | Observations: Reported | GVP 13772Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 651 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionMinami-dake | Confirmed | Not supplied | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | GVP 16986Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 1051 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | Not supplied | Correlation: Magnetism | GVP 17044Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 2051 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed Eruption | Confirmed | Not supplied | Correlation: Magnetism | GVP 17043Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 2901 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionKita-dake | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | GVP 17042Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 3051 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionKita-dake | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | GVP 17041Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 4801 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionKita-dake | Confirmed | Not supplied | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | GVP 17040Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 5401 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionKita-dake | Confirmed | Not supplied | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | GVP 17039Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 5951 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionKita-dake | Confirmed | Not supplied | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | GVP 17038Database 5.4.0 |
| ? 6051 BCE | Not supplied | Confirmed EruptionKita-dake | Confirmed | 5 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | GVP 17037Database 5.4.0 |
Source and attribution
Source: Data: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program, Volcanoes of the World.
View the original Smithsonian GVP recordGlobal Volcanism Program, 2026. Volcanoes of the World 5.4.0.
The GVP database is scientific documentation that changes as evidence is reviewed. Historical dates may be approximate or uncertain. This platform is not an official emergency-warning service.
Read the GVP terms of useData freshness
- Source updated
- Not supplied
- Retrieved
- 11 Oct 2026, 13:07 UTC
- GVP database version
- 5.4.0
- Catalogue revision
- 2
Source-update and retrieval times describe this catalogue record. Each weekly report carries its own publication date and preliminary status.