Mount Kirishima

Mount Kirishima
Kirishima Volcano Groups
Highest point
Peak Karakuni-dake
Elevation 1,700 m (5,600 ft)
Coordinates 31°56′17″N 130°51′41″E / 31.93806°N 130.86139°E / 31.93806; 130.86139Coordinates: 31°56′17″N 130°51′41″E / 31.93806°N 130.86139°E / 31.93806; 130.86139 
Geography
Country Japan
States/Provinces Kagoshima prefecture and Miyazaki prefecture
Relief map of Kirishima Volcano
View on the southern side of the volcano group.

Mount Kirishima (霧島山, Kirishimayama) is a 1700 meter high active volcano group in Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Numerous eruptions have been recorded since 742. Very strong eruptions happened in 788, 1716 and 1717. Augite-hypersthene andesite is the dominant rock type.[1]

The highest peak is Karakuni-dake (韓国岳, Karakunidake) (1700 m). Other peaks are Takachiho-no-mine (高千穂峰) (1573 m) and Shinmoedake (新燃岳), both active volcanoes. They are part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park near Kirishima City. Upon the summit of Takachiho was stuck the mysterious spear Ama-no-Sakahoko, by the legendary Ninigi-no-Mikoto. Mount Kirishima is considered one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. The area is often foggy, and it is believed that the name Kirishima comes from the mountain looking like an island in the fog.

The Kongō-class battlecruiser Kirishima of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the Kongō-class guided missile destroyer Kirishima of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were both named after this mountain.

Shinmoedake is the most active of the Mount Kirishima volcanoes, having erupted in January 2011, March 2011, October 2017,[2] and April 2018.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-30. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  2. ↑ "Kyushu's Shinmoedake volcano erupts for first time in six years".
  3. ↑ "硫黄山、約２５０年ぶり噴火　ケガ人なし".
  • Kirishimayama - Japan Meteorological Agency (in Japanese)
  • "Kirishimayama: National catalogue of the active volcanoes in Japan" (PDF). - Japan Meteorological Agency
  • Kirishima Volcano - Geological Survey of Japan
  • Kirishimayama - Smithsonian Institution: Global Volcanism Program
  • Kirishima Geopark - The Kirishima Geopark Council
    • Volcanoes & Craters
    • "English Pamphlet" (PDF).
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