Volcano Islands

Volcano Islands, Jap. Kazan-retto, island group, c.11 sq mi (30 sq km), W Pacific. The group consists of three islands, of which Iwo Jima is the most important. The highest peak (3,181 ft/970 m) is on Minami-iwo-jima. There are sugarcane plantations and sulfur mines on the Volcano Islands. The inhabitants are Japanese and Koreans. Japanese fishermen and sulfur miners arrived in 1887, and Japan annexed the islands in 1891. Captured by U.S. forces in World War II, the islands were placed under U.S. administration from 1945 until 1968, when they were restored to Japan.

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Volcano Islands

 Japanese Kazan-retto or Io-retto

Group of three small volcanic islands, western Pacific Ocean. Administratively part of Japan, they lie south of the Bonin Islands. After they were visited by Japanese fishermen and sulfur miners in 1887, the three islands of Kita Io, Io (Iwo Jima; the largest), and Minami Io were claimed by Japan in 1891. Io was the scene of heavy fighting during World War II. After the war Japan retained residual sovereignty over the islands, but the U.S. administered them from 1951 until they were returned to Japan in 1968.