Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group
Volcanic group of peaks arranged around the 2 km wide Ohachi-Daira caldera, the highest in Hokkaidō.
The Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group (大雪山系, Daisetsu-sankei; also called Taisetsu-zan) is a volcanic group of peaks arranged around the 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide Ohachi-Daira (御鉢平, Ohachi-daira) caldera in Hokkaidō, Japan. In the Ainu language it is known as Nutapukaushipe (which means "the mountain above the river"), Nutaku Kamushupe, or Optateske. These peaks are the highest in Hokkaidō. The group lends its name to the Daisetsuzan National Park in which the volcanic group is located.
- field
- Volcanology
- nationality
- Japan
- known_for
- Highest peaks in Hokkaidō; located in Daisetsuzan National Park
- location
- Hokkaidō, Japan
- type
- Volcanic group
Lore & Background
The Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group, also called Taisetsu-zan, is a volcanic group of peaks arranged around the 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide Ohachi-Daira caldera in Hokkaidō, Japan. In the Ainu language it is known as Nutapukaushipe (which means "the mountain above the river"), Nutaku Kamushupe, or Optateske. These peaks are the highest in Hokkaidō. The group lends its name to the Daisetsuzan National Park in which the volcanic group is located. The volcanic group lies at the north end of the Daisetsu-Tokachi graben on the Kurile arc of the Ring of Fire. The volcanic zone makes itself known through a number of fumaroles and natural hot springs.
Reader's Guide
The Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group is located in Hokkaidō, Japan, and consists of peaks arranged around the 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide Ohachi-Daira caldera. These peaks are the highest in Hokkaidō. The group lies at the north end of the Daisetsu-Tokachi graben on the Kurile arc of the Ring of Fire. The volcanic zone is marked by fumaroles and natural hot springs. In the Ainu language it is known as Nutapukaushipe (meaning "the mountain above the river"), Nutaku Kamushupe, or Optateske. The group lends its name to the Daisetsuzan National Park, which contains the volcanic group. The group is listed among Japan's active volcanoes and is monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Geological Survey of Japan. It is included in the 100 Soundscapes of Japan. External sources for further information include Taisetsuzan - Japan Meteorological Agency (in Japanese), Taisetsuzan: National catalogue of the active volcanoes in Japan - Japan Meteorological Agency, Taisetsu Volcano Group - Geological Survey of Japan, and Taisetsuzan - Smithsonian Institution: Global Volcanism Program.
Did You Know?
- The Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group is also called Taisetsu-zan.
- The peaks are arranged around the 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide Ohachi-Daira caldera.
- In the Ainu language it is known as Nutapukaushipe, Nutaku Kamushupe, or Optateske.
- The volcanic group lies at the north end of the Daisetsu-Tokachi graben on the Kurile arc of the Ring of Fire.
- The group lends its name to the Daisetsuzan National Park in which it is located.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group?
It is a cluster of volcanic peaks in Hokkaidō, Japan, arranged in a ring around the two-kilometer-wide Ohachi-Daira caldera. The group is also referred to as Taisetsu-zan and is classified as a volcanic group within the field of volcanology.
Where exactly is the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group located?
The peaks sit within Daisetsuzan National Park on the island of Hokkaidō, Japan. The caldera at their center, Ohachi-Daira, measures roughly two kilometers across.
Why is the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group considered notable?
It holds the distinction of containing the highest peaks on all of Hokkaidō. Because of this prominence, the volcanic group lends its name to the surrounding Daisetsuzan National Park.
What type of geological feature is the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group?
It is a volcanic group rather than a single stratovolcano, meaning multiple peaks surround a shared caldera (Ohachi-Daira) formed by past eruptive activity. Its study falls under the discipline of volcanology.
What role does the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group play in Japanese geography?
As the highest point group in Hokkaidō, it anchors the landscape of Daisetsuzan National Park and serves as a key reference for the island's topography. Its caldera and surrounding peaks make it a focal point for both geological research and outdoor recreation in northern Japan.
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