AMS 14C Dating of Historic Eruptions of the Kirishima, Sakurajima and Kaimondake Volcanoes, Southern Kyushu, Japan

In the historic period, several large eruptions were recorded from Kirishima, Sakurajima and Kaimondake volcanoes in southern Kyushu, Japan. Estimated dates of volcanic activity were established on these volcanoes through historical documentation of major eruption events. This study presents the correspondence between these documents and the records of AMS 14C dating of soils underlying tephra layers. We conclude that AMS 14C dates of soil materials can be useful in correlating tephra layers with documentary records of eruption.