Mount Kirishima

Kirishima
Range
view on the southern side of the volcano group
Country	Japan
Regions	Kagoshima prefecture, Miyazaki prefecture
Highest point	Karakuni-dake
- elevation	1,700 m (5,577 ft)
- coordinates	31°56′17″N 130°51′41″E / 31.93806°N 130.86139°E / 31.93806; 130.86139

Mount Kirishima (霧島山, Kirishimayama^?) is a 1700 meter high active volcano group in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Numerous eruptions have been recorded since 742. Very strong eruptions happened in 788, 1716 and 1717.^{[citation needed]} Augite-hypersthene andesite is the dominant rock type.^[1]

The highest peak is Mount Karakuni (韓国岳, Karakunidake^?) (1700 m). Other peaks are Takachihonomine (高千穂峰^?) (1573 m) and Shinmoedake (新燃岳^?), both active volcanos. They are part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park near Kirishima City. Mount Kirishima is considered one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. The area is often foggy, and it is believed that the name Kirishima comes from the mountain looking like an island in the fog.

The Kongō class battlecruiser Kirishima of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the Kongō class guided missile destroyer Kirishima of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were both named after this mountain.

Shinmoedake erupted in January 2011 and again in March 2011.

See also

• List of volcanoes in Japan

References

1. ^ http://web.mac.com/japan_geoparks/JGN/member/kirishima/kirishima-e.html