Evidence of the Most Massive Volcanic Eruption in Current Geological Era Discovered in Japan

Japanese scientists have confirmed what they believe to be the most severe volcanic eruption in the present geological era. The eruption of the Kikai volcano happened 7,300 years ago and its corresponding earthquake was felt worldwide.

The Holocene Period’s Most Massive Eruption

Earth’s history is broken down into different timespans. The current era, the Holocene, commenced about 11,700 years ago. Throughout this era, numerous significant volcanic eruptions have occurred. However, a team of researchers from Kobe University suggests in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research that the most severe eruption of modern times took place off the coast of Kyushu Island, over seven millennia ago.

Research Methodology

The scientists studied volcanic material in the water and on the sea floor around the island. A volcanic eruption spews not only lava and ash but also a lot of minerals. These minerals settle in the surrounding area and stay put.

“We learned a lot about the distribution, quantity, and displacement of the volcanic material. This allowed us to estimate how large the eruption must have been. Since this gigantic eruption, there hasn’t been such a large one,” stated lead researcher Satoshi Shimizu.

The Eruption that Made Krakatoa Seem Small

According to their measurements, the scientists concluded that the eruption near Kyushu spanned an area of 4,500 square kilometers, about the size of the province of North Brabant. The volcano spewed hundreds of cubic kilometers of grit, dust, and ash into the atmosphere, significantly more than any other recorded volcanic eruption.

The eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, which is considered possibly the most severe in modern times, only expelled a few dozen cubic kilometers of material.

Shimizu asserts that studying volcanoes helps us understand living conditions on Earth better. “Volcanic eruptions play a crucial role in climate development, and therefore, human history,” he said.