When did Kowagatake, Japan last erupt? What came out of it? How many cities did it wipe out? What cities were they? How many people died? What oceans and seas did it flow in to?

Gordon Jonas

Dear Gordon,

Komagatake, near the south end of the island of Hokkaido, last erupted in 1942. It was a phreatic eruption, meaning magma and groundwater came in contact to make explosions. The eruption lasted only two days. The 1942 eruption caused no death or damage. I do not know if the eruption reached the coast. The Uchiura Bay (or sea) is below Komagatake to the east.

Thanks for a good question.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota

Source of Information:
Simkin, T., and Siebert, L., 1994, Volcanoes of the World: Geoscience Press, Tucson, Arizona, 349 p.

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