Volcano · Japan
Aso
A huge caldera with an active central crater, Nakadake.
Status right now
No current reports
Aso is not in the latest Smithsonian weekly report or the GDACS volcano alerts. That usually means it is quiet, but not every change is reported straight away. For official alerts, follow the local volcano observatory.
Checked 5 Nov 2026, 01:30 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Asia
- Type
- Caldera
- Summit
- 1,592 m (5,223 ft)
- Coordinates
- 32.881° N, 131.106° E
- Smithsonian number
- 282110
What kind of volcano is it?
Aso is a caldera. A caldera is a huge basin left when a volcano empties its magma chamber in a large eruption and the ground above collapses. Calderas can stay restless for centuries, with earthquakes, ground swelling and gas.
Eruption history
| Date | VEI | Deaths | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Oct 2016 | 3 | – | – |
| 23 Nov 1997 | – | 2 | – |
| 29 May 1994 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 18 Apr 1990 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 26 Mar 1990 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 19 Oct 1990 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 12 Feb 1989 | – | 1 | – |
| 6 Sept 1979 | 2 | 3 | – |
| Oct 1957 | 2 | 12 | – |
| 27 Apr 1953 | 2 | 6 | – |
| Dec 1872 | 3 | 4 | – |
| Feb 1854 | 2 | 3 | – |
| Oct 1826 | 2 | – | – |
| 5 Jul 1816 | 2 | 1 | – |
| Jan 1485 | 2 | 1 | – |
| Dec 1331 | 2 | – | – |
16 significant eruptions near Aso in NOAA's Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, which lists eruptions that caused deaths, damage or a tsunami, or were VEI 6 or larger. VEI is the Volcanic Explosivity Index, from 0 to 8.
Nearby volcanoes
- SakurajimaJapan · 149 km
- SuwanosejimaJapan · 384 km
- FujiJapan · 754 km
- AsamaJapan · 783 km
- Ahyi SeamountUnited States (Mariana Is.) · 1,954 km
- PinatuboPhilippines · 2,253 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.