How many volcanoes are there in Japan? Uncover the geological wonders of the land of volcanoes
As an important part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is world-famous for its frequent geological activities and dense volcanic distribution. Recently, news about volcanic eruptions in Japan has once again aroused public curiosity about this "land of volcanoes." This article will combine the latest data to systematically review the number, distribution and activity status of Japanese volcanoes.
1. Statistics on the total number and activity of volcanoes in Japan
| Volcano type | Quantity | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Active volcano (with eruption records in the past 10,000 years) | 111 seats | about 32% |
| dormant volcano | 186 seats | about 54% |
| extinct volcano | 48 seats | about 14% |
| total | 345 seats | 100% |
Note: The data comes from the 2023 Volcano Monitoring Report of the Japan Meteorological Agency, in which the number of active volcanoes increased by 3 compared with 2019 (new monitoring objects).
2. Geographic distribution characteristics of volcanoes
| main islands | Number of volcanoes | famous representatives |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | 41 seats | Showa Shinzan, Usu Mountain |
| Honshu Island | 127 seats | Mount Fuji, Mount Asama |
| Kyushu Island | 59 seats | Sakurajima volcano, Mount Aso |
| Ryukyu Islands | 18 seats | Iwo Jima volcano |
It is particularly worth noting thatMount FujiAs the highest peak in Japan (3,776 meters above sea level), although it is currently dormant, the pressure in its underground magma chamber continues to rise, and it is listed as a key monitoring object.
3. Volcanic activity records in the past 10 years
| Year | Number of erupting volcanoes | major events |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 seats | Sakurajima volcano erupts three times this year |
| 2021 | 6 seats | Medium-sized eruption from Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture |
| 2018 | 5 seats | Sinmandake volcanic ash affects air transportation |
4. The dual impact of volcanoes
1.Disaster risk: According to statistics from the Japanese Cabinet Office, 47 cities, towns and villages across the country are located in high-risk areas for volcanic eruptions, and about 1.2 million people need to regularly participate in disaster prevention drills.
2.Economic benefits: Volcanic geothermal resources provide about 2.3% of the country’s electricity supply. The annual output value of the hot spring industry exceeds 300 billion yen. Famous scenic spots such as Hakone and Beppu all rely on volcanic landforms.
5. Current status of volcano monitoring system
Japan has the densest volcano observation network in the world, deploying:
The newly launched "Volcano AI Early Warning System" in 2023 can predict eruptions 20-30 minutes in advance, improving the accuracy by 40% compared with traditional methods.
Conclusion
The special geological background of Japan's volcanoes not only shapes unique natural landscapes, but also poses ongoing disaster prevention challenges. With the advancement of monitoring technology, this country, which has 7% of the world's active volcanoes, is exploring a new model for the coexistence of humans and volcanoes. New trends in volcanic activity in the future will continue to attract the attention of the global geological community.
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