Volcano and Earthquake Research Division
Multidisciplinary Resilience Research Center, IIR
HISTORY
Establishment of KSVO
The Japanese Council for Science and Technology chose 12 active volcanoes, including Kusatsu-Shirane volcano, for which intensive observation should be conducted. Following this decision, Tokyo Institute of Technology started continuous measurements of temperature, water level and fluid geochemistry at the Yugama crater lake of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano during 1984-1986.
In 1986, the Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano Observatory (KSVO) was established.
Since then, we started continuous measurements of ground temperature and
volcanic gases at Mizugama crater and at Sesshou-gahara geothermal field.
We also started fluid temperature at Kusatsu Spa. In November 1986, the
Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano Observatory was constructed in the Kusatsu town
and chemical analyses apparatuses were installed.
Reorganization as VFRC
In 2000, KSVO was reorganized as Volcanic Fluid Research Center (VFRC), by expanding the research fields including geomagnetism. VFRC became one of the joint-use facilities of Tokyo Institute of Technology. Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano Observatory is now a part of the VFRC. In 2016, VFRC became a section under School of Science.
Reorganization as Volcano and Earthquake Research Division of Multidisciplinary Resilience Research Center
In 2023, VFRC was reorganized as Volcano and Earthquake Research Division of Multidisciplinary Resilience Research Center under Institute of Innovative Research (IIR). Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano Observatory continues to be operated as part of Multidisciplinary Resilience Research Center.
A panoramic photograph of the Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano Observatory (KSVO).
Contact Address
Ookayama Office
2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
TEL +81-3-5734-2515
FAX +81-3-5734-2492
Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano Observatory
641-36 Kusatsu, Agatsuma, Gunma, 377-1711, Japan
TEL +81-279-88-7715
FAX +81-279-88-7717