Shōwa-shinzan

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
Coordinates 42°32′33″N 140°51′52″E / 42.54250°N 140.86444°E
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 during its formative year in October 1944

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Geographical Survey Institute topographic map 壮瞥, last access 28 May 2008