Shōwa-shinzan

Shōwa-shinzan
昭和新山
Shōwa-shinzan (September 2008)
Highest point
Elevation	398 m (1,306 ft)
Prominence	211 m (692 ft)
Parent peak	Mount Usu
Listing	List of mountains and hills of Japan by height List of volcanoes in Japan
Coordinates	42°32′33″N 140°51′52″E
Naming
English translation	New Mountain of the Showa Era
Language of name	Japanese
Geography
Location	Hokkaidō, Japan
Parent range	Nasu Volcanic Zone
Topo map	Geographical Survey Institute 25000:1 壮瞥, 25000:1 虻田, 50000:1 虻田
Geology
Mountain type	Lava dome
Volcanic arc/belt	Northeast Japan Arc
Last eruption	1945

Shōwa-shinzan during its formative year in October 1944

Shōwa-shinzan (昭和新山, Shōwa-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 Shōwa-shinzan literally means "Showa new mountain", as it formed during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, known as the Showa period. When Shōwa-shinzan 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.

See also

• List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments
• Paricutín

References

• "Usu". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
• Geographical Survey Institute
• Canadian National Film Board movie "Showa Shinzan" 2002 (12 minutes)