World Map › Major Eruptions › Sakurajima (Aira Caldera) 1914
Historic Eruption
1914 Eruption of Sakurajima (Aira Caldera)
12 January 1914 · Caldera · Japan
On 12 January 1914, Sakurajima (Aira Caldera) in Japan erupted. The volcano rises to 1,117 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 4 out of 8, that of a cataclysmic eruption ejecting more than 0.1 km³ of material. It killed at least 63 people and injured 112. Most deaths were caused by indirect effects (famine, disease), earthquakes, a debris avalanche and ash and tephra fall. 2,268 homes were destroyed. Damage is estimated at 19 million US dollars at the time. The eruption triggered a tsunami with waves up to 3 m. It is associated with a magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
- Date
- 12 January 1914
- Volcano
- Sakurajima (Aira Caldera)
- Volcano Type
- Caldera
- Elevation
- 1,117 m
- Country
- Japan
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 4 out of 8
- Deaths
- 63
- Injuries
- 112
- Homes Destroyed
- 2,268
- Estimated Damage
- 19 million US dollars
- Main Causes of Death
- Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease), Earthquakes, Debris Avalanche, Ash and Tephra
- Triggered Tsunami
- 1914 Tsunami · 3 m
- Associated Earthquake
- 1914 Sakurajima Earthquake
Other Significant Eruptions of Sakurajima (Aira Caldera)
- 1974August 1974 Eruption · VEI 3 · Lahars5 deaths
- 1974June 1974 Eruption · VEI 3 · Lahars3 deaths
- 1955October 1955 Eruption · VEI 3
- 1946January 1946 Eruption · VEI 21 death
- 1781April 1781 Eruption · VEI 4 · Tsunami38 deaths
- 1780September 1780 Eruption · VEI 4
- 1780February 1780 Eruption · VEI 4 · Floods
- 1779November 1779 Eruption · VEI 4 · Ash and Tephra, Tsunami, Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease)153 deaths
- 1471November 1471 Eruption · VEI 5 · Pyroclastic Flows
- 766July 766 Eruption · VEI 3
- 764764 Eruption · VEI 4 · Ash and Tephra, Lava Flows80 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program