Number of significant volcanic eruptions in Japan
Japan: Number of significant volcanic eruptions was 2 events in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Number of significant volcanic eruptions in Japan, 1331–2018
Source: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in events.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of significant volcanic eruptions in Japan is 2 events, measured in 2018.
That represents a change of up 100.0% on the previous year and up 100.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of significant volcanic eruptions in Japan peaked at 6 events in 1952 and was at its lowest, 1 events, in 1331.
That places Japan 3rd out of 25 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1330s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1410s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1470s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1480s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1560s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1590s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 2 |
| 1600s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1640s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1660s | 1.5 events | 1 events | 2 events | 2 |
| 1700s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1710s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 2 |
| 1720s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1740s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1770s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1780s | 1.8 events | 1 events | 4 events | 5 |
| 1790s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 2 |
| 1800s | 1.33 events | 1 events | 2 events | 3 |
| 1810s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1820s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 2 |
| 1840s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 2 |
| 1850s | 1.33 events | 1 events | 2 events | 3 |
| 1860s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1870s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 2 |
| 1880s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 1 |
| 1890s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 3 |
| 1900s | 2 events | 1 events | 3 events | 2 |
| 1910s | 1.17 events | 1 events | 2 events | 6 |
| 1920s | 1.25 events | 1 events | 2 events | 4 |
| 1930s | 1.29 events | 1 events | 2 events | 7 |
| 1940s | 1.6 events | 1 events | 3 events | 5 |
| 1950s | 2.38 events | 1 events | 6 events | 8 |
| 1960s | 1.5 events | 1 events | 3 events | 4 |
| 1970s | 1.29 events | 1 events | 3 events | 7 |
| 1980s | 1.6 events | 1 events | 2 events | 5 |
| 1990s | 1.57 events | 1 events | 3 events | 7 |
| 2000s | 1 events | 1 events | 1 events | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.17 events | 1 events | 2 events | 6 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 1 Indonesia 4 events compare
- 2 United States 3 events compare
- 3 Italy 2 events compare
- 3 Philippines 2 events compare
- 6 Chile 1 events compare
- 6 Colombia 1 events compare
- 6 Comoros 1 events compare
- 6 Costa Rica 1 events compare
- 6 Democratic Republic of Congo 1 events compare
- 6 Ecuador 1 events compare
- 6 Greece 1 events compare
- 6 Guatemala 1 events compare
- 6 Iceland 1 events compare
- 6 Mexico 1 events compare
- 6 New Zealand 1 events compare
- 6 Nicaragua 1 events compare
- 6 Papua New Guinea 1 events compare
- 6 Portugal 1 events compare
- 6 Russia 1 events compare
- 6 Solomon Islands 1 events compare
- 6 Spain 1 events compare
- 6 Tanzania 1 events compare
- 6 Tonga 1 events compare
- 6 Vanuatu 1 events compare
More reference data data for Japan
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.24 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.1053 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.7172 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.9 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.5865 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 118.04 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of significant volcanic eruptions in Japan?
- Number of significant volcanic eruptions in Japan was 2 events in 2018, according to National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of significant volcanic eruptions recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 6 events in 1952.
- What is the lowest number of significant volcanic eruptions recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 events in 1331.
- How does Japan rank for number of significant volcanic eruptions?
- Japan ranks 3rd out of 25 countries with data for 2018.
- Is number of significant volcanic eruptions rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 100.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of significant volcanic eruptions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 105 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
A significant eruption is classified as one that meets at least one of the following criteria: caused fatalities, caused moderate damage (approximately $1 million or more), with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6 or larger, caused a tsunami, or was associated with a major earthquake.