Kusatsu-Shirane is a stratovolcano with numerous summit craters. Since 1805
the volcano has erupted at least 17 times. The last confirmed eruption was
in 1983. There was a suspected eruption (with a duration of less than one
day) in 1989. Nearly all of these eruptions were phreatic.
Most of the eruptions were small to moderate in size (VEI=1-2).
The exception was a moderate-large eruption (VEI=3) in 1932 that generated a
lahar which caused two deaths and damage. Five of Kusatsu-shirane's
historic eruptions have involved crater lakes.
All photographs courtesy of and copyrighted by Mike Lyvers.
The next three photos show the warm crater lakes of Shirane-san.
VolcanoWorld wishes to thank Mike Lyvers for generously sharing his photographs.
Simkin, T., and Siebert, L., 1994, Volcanoes of the World: Geoscience Press, Tucson, Arizona, 349 p.
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