Towada is an active volcano and is one of the 55 that are continuously monitored by JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency). See volcanicjapan.com/ for Info, Maps, and Warnings which link to both GSJ and JMA websites and data.
Volcano No. - D14
Geologic code - Q3a
Main activity period - Chibanian (Middle Pleistocene) - Holocene
Record of last eruption - 915?: Plinian eruptions: Pumice fallout and pyroclastic flows (Kemanai Pyroclastic Flow).
My Experience: While I did not specifically "hike" any areas aside from the temple, I did drive around portions of the lake for a few different drone video perspectives. Additionally the hotel I stayed at Hotel Towadaso ホテル十和田荘 (maps.app.goo.gl/DLiETkEJpg33y..., had this amazing 7 part historical modeling compilation about how the area was formed (the double caldera and lake). There is most definitely hiking in this area specifically the Oirase River Gorge which is the only outflow of water from Lake Towada and home to about 6 dozen plus waterfalls. Hikes are also doable (see #alltrails link) to the highest caldera rim point of Mount Towadayama (www.alltrails.com/trail/japan...) located on the east side of the crater rim. Due to inclement weather, I used this day to relax a bit and plan for my following week back in Gunma. I will plan to be back in this area in late 2024 to hike Mount Iwaki but also make a visit back to Oirase and a quick hike of Towadayama as well.
About: Lake Towada (十和田湖, Towada-ko) is the largest crater lake in Honshū island, Japan. Located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, it lies 400 meters (1,800 ft) above sea level and is 327 m (1,073 ft) deep, drained by the Oirase river. With a surface area of 61.1 km², Towada is Japan's 12th largest lake, its bright blue color is due to its great depth. The lake is roughly circular, with two peninsulas extending from its southern shore approximately one-third into the center of the lake. The lake is a popular tourist destination.
Lake Towada occupies the caldera of a stratovolcano still regarded as an active volcano. This volcano became active around 200,000 years ago, and through repeated eruptions and pyroclastic flows, especially 55,000 and 36,000 and 15,000 years ago, created an 11 kilometer diameter caldera with the proto-Lake Towada. From approximately 15,000 to 12,000 years ago, intermittent eruptions formed a small stratovolcano within this caldera (Mount Goshikiiwa). Intermediate eruptive activity continued and at least eight eruptions of magma occurred from 11,000 years ago to the present. The Ogurayama Lava Dome was formed approximately 7,600 years ago on the northeastern slope of the Goshikiiwa volcano. The Mikadoishi Lava Dome is estimated to be within 12,000 and 2,800 years ago.[2] The collapse of these secondary lava domes approximately 5400 years ago give the lake its distinct shape and the inlet between its two peninsulas (called the “Nakaumi”) is the remnant of a secondary caldera which erupted and collapsed. (Source: Wikipedia)
Geological Summary: The lake-filled, 11-km-wide, Towada caldera in northern Honshu formed during as many as six major explosive eruptions over a 40,000-year period ending about 13,000 years ago. Pre-caldera eruptive activity dates back about 2 million years and produced basaltic-to-dacitic lava cones. Following late-Pleistocene andesitic-to-rhyolitic caldera-forming eruptions, the basaltic Ninokura stratovolcano grew in the SSE section of the caldera. Successive dacitic-to-rhyolitic explosive eruptions from the Goshikiiwa cone led to the formation of the roughly 2-km-wide Nakanoumi caldera, whose SW and NE rims form peninsulas extending into Lake Towada. The andesitic-to-dacitic Ogurayama lava dome was built over the NE rim of Nakanoumi. The latest eruption took place in 915 CE, when eruptions from Ogurayama produced widespread ashfall and pyroclastic flows. (Source: Global Volcanism Program)
Background Music: Ascend by John Hayes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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26 янв 2024
