Akan is a caldera volcano located in Japan at an elevation of 1,499 meters, situated in a subduction zone with continental crust thicker than 25 kilometers. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a total of 37 confirmed eruptions spanning from prehistoric times to the 21st century. The official record documents activity across various eruptive centers, including Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri) and Akan-Fuji.
Eruption History and Chronology
The earliest recorded eruption in the official database dates back to 7050 BCE, noted with a modifier and a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4.0, determined via uncalibrated radiocarbon isotopic evidence. Throughout the historical and prehistoric record, eruptions have been identified using diverse methods ranging from isotopic dating and tephrochronology to direct human observation.
The official record contains 22 observations with assigned VEI values, with the largest recorded VEI reaching 4.0. Confirmed eruptions are distributed across multiple centuries, including instances in the 36th, 46th, 31st, 21st, 8th, 71st, and 6th centuries BCE, as well as the 1st century BCE, 1st, 3rd, 6th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries CE. The 20th century CE alone accounts for 15 recorded eruptions.
Recent Historical Activity
More recent documentation captures specific operational observation periods. For instance, an eruption began on January 7, 1954, and ended on April 13, 1954, at the Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri) activity area with a VEI of 1.0. A later confirmed eruption began on March 7, 2026, and concluded on March 14, 2026. The profile's latest recorded eruption year is 2026, with the latest confirmed eruption starting on March 7, 2026, based on reported observations.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Akan located?
Akan is a caldera volcano located in Japan at an elevation of 1,499 meters, within a subduction zone setting with continental crust exceeding 25 kilometers in thickness.
How many confirmed eruptions does Akan have?
The official record from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program lists 37 confirmed eruptions for Akan.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Akan?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Akan is 4.0.
When did the most recent eruptions occur in the official record?
The official record documents a confirmed eruption that began on March 7, 2026, and ended on March 14, 2026. An earlier 20th-century eruption occurred between January 7, 1954, and April 13, 1954.
Image credits
- Batholith — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.