Fuji

SUMMARY:

Type: composite
Activity: dormant
Last Eruption: 1708 AD
Rock Type: basalt - andesite
Eruptive Volume: ? cu km
Location Map from Xerox PARC
Latitude: 35.35 N
Longitude: 138.73 E

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

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 8,000 years before present (BP), accounting for four-fifths of the volume of the Younger Fuji volcano. Minor explosive eruptions dominated activity from 8,000 to 4,500 BP, with another period of major lava flows occurring from 4,500 to 3,000 BP. Subsequently, intermittent major explosive eruptions occurred, with subordinate lava flows and small pyroclastic flows. Summit eruptions dominated from 3,000 to 2,000 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.

Historic Activity:

• It's last eruption began in 1707 and lasted about 2 months. The eruption ejected andesitic pumice and formed a new crater on the middle southeast flank.

Recent Activity:

• During late Jan. 1996 about a dozen low-frequency earthquakes were recorded.
• Sept 2000 to Jan 2001 earthquake swarm. Earthquake swarm April-May 2001.

Data Sources

• Smithsonian's SEAN Bulletion (V. 12, No. 8)
• Global Volcanism Network (V. 21, No. 2 to V. 26, No. 2).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Link to Global Volcanism Network's Fuji Information
• Link to VolcanoWorld's Fuji Info

Last Update: 1/2/02