Suwanosejima, Volcanic island in Tokara Islands, Japan
Suwanosejima is a volcanic island in the Tokara Islands in Japan covering 27 square kilometers (10 square miles), with its peak Mount Otake reaching 796 meters (2612 feet). Black lava rocks cover the steep slopes that drop directly into the sea, and steam clouds rise regularly from the crater.
A major eruption in the 15th century left the island uninhabited until the 19th century, when settlers from the Amami Islands returned. The population has fluctuated sharply over the decades due to recurring volcanic activity and evacuations.
The name Suwanosejima means "island of the Suwanose strait" and refers to its position between the Tokara Islands. The few residents live in small coastal settlements and grow sweet potatoes and vegetables, while the interior remains dominated by the active volcano.
A nine-hour ferry journey from Kagoshima brings visitors to the island, with departures depending on weather and volcanic conditions. Few guesthouses offer accommodation, and walking paths lead only to safe distances from the active crater.
More than 150 eruptions were recorded on this small island in 2008, making it one of Japan's most active volcanoes. An eruption in January 2024 launched rock fragments over one kilometer from the crater, visible widely from the sea.
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