Noboribetsu-Jigoku Valley
Noboribetsu-Onsen village, Noboribetsu city, Iburi branch, Hokkaido, Japan
Synonym
Noboribetsu-Jigokudani
Occurrence
Sulphur deposit formed by volcanic gas in the Jigokudani Explosion Crater of the Kuttara Volcanic Group which has been active since Late Pleistocene (80 ka). The Jigokudani Explosion Crater was formed in the Noboribetsu Stage after Late Pleistocene (40 ka). Explosion craters of the Kuttara Volcanic Group are active and the latest phreatic explosion was 200 yr B.P.
Outcrop of the sulphur deposit near an active fumarole in the Jigokudani Explosion Crater. The yellow part is sulphur. The whie host is altered andesitic tuff. Sulphur was formed by reacting H2S in volcanic gas with O2 in air:
2H2S + 3O2 >> 2H2O + 2SO2
SO2 + 2H2S >> 3S + 2H2O
Reported Minerals
Localities
- Ishizu Mine
- Agatsuma Mine
- Shirane Mine
- Numajiri Mine
- Jigoku Pond (Sulphur)
- Noboribetsu-Jigoku Valley (Sulphur)
Related Occurrences
- Halloysite zone (Alunite zone, Argillized zone)
- Kaolinite zone (Alunite zone, Argillized zone)
- Minamiite-Alunite zone (Alunite zone)
- Pyrophyllite zone