| Shōwa-shinzan | |
|---|---|
| 昭和新山 | |
Shōwa-shinzan (September 2008) |
|
| Elevation | 398 m (1,306 ft) [1] |
| Prominence | 211 m (692 ft) [1] |
| Parent peak | Mount Usu |
| Listing | List of mountains and hills of Japan by height List of volcanoes in Japan |
| Translation | New Mountain of the Showa Era (Japanese) |
| Location | |
| Location | Hokkaidō, Japan |
| Range | Nasu Volcanic Zone |
| Topo map | Geographical Survey Institute 25000:1 壮瞥, 25000:1 虻田, 50000:1 虻田 |
| Geology | |
| Type | Lava dome |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Northeast Japan Arc |
| Last eruption | 1945 |
Shōwa-shinzan (昭和新山 Shōwa-shinzan) is a volcanic lava dome in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaidō, Japan, next to Mount Usu. The mountain was created between 1944 and 1945. Initially, a series of strong earthquakes shook the area, and wheat fields were rapidly uplifted. Lava broke through the surface and the current peak was created. The peak is now 398 m (1,306 ft) tall, and still actively smoking.
The name Shōwa-shinzan literally means "Showa new mountain", as it formed during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, known as the Showa period. When Shōwa-shinzan first appeared, the Japanese authorities were worried that it might be interpreted as an unlucky wartime omen, and its existence was kept secret. Much of the information about peak's formation during these years comes from local postmaster Masao Mimatsu, who kept detailed measurements of its progress.