Showashinzan
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| Showashinzan 昭和新山 |
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|---|---|
 Showashinzan. Note the volcanic steam on the left. (August 2005) |
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| Elevation | 398 m (1,306 ft)[1] |
| Location | Hokkaidō, Japan |
| Range | Nasu Volcanic Zone |
| Prominence | 211 metres (692 ft)[2] |
| Parent peak | Mount Usu |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | Geographical Survey Institute 25000:1 壮瞥, 25000:1 虻田, 50000:1 虻田 |
| Type | Lava dome |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Northeast Japan Arc |
| Last eruption | 1945 |
| Listing | List of mountains and hills of Japan by height |
| Translation | New Mountain of the Showa Era (Japanese) |
Showashinzan (昭和新山 Showa-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 Showashinzan literally means "Showa new mountain", as it formed during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, known as the Showa period. When Showashinzan 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.
[edit] References
- ^ Geographical Survey Institute topographic map 壮瞥, last access 28 May 2008
- ^ Geographical Survey Institute topographic map 壮瞥, last access 28 May 2008
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