The death toll from the Ontake volcanic eruption, which began on Saturday, has reached 46 people. The unexpected activity of the volcano caught several hundred tourists and climbers who are on its slopes by surprise. About 100 people managed to go down, the rest were forced to seek shelter on the mountain. At the moment, most of them have already been evacuated by rescuers. Many are hospitalized in critical condition. The exact number of those who remained is unknown, it is assumed that there are about 10-20 people.
The search and rescue operation is proceeding intermittently due to the continued activity of the volcano.
This is how it goes (photo source by Kyodo News) ...
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Ontake Volcano is located 200 km from Tokyo. According to scientists, it was a small eruption.
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Japan is located in the collision zone of tectonic plates, so occasionally there are sudden volcanic eruptions. Photo: tourists rush to leave the Ontake area.
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A column of volcanic dust during eruptions can reach a height of up to 50 km. This time, Ontake's pole was only 10 km high.
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According to experts, during powerful eruptions, the surroundings of the volcano can be covered with a layer of dust ... a kilometer thick.
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The area around the Ontake volcano is covered with only a 20-centimeter layer of dust, but it looks like it is ancient Roman Pompeii.
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According to scientists, if a low-power volcanic eruption is brewing, it is impossible to predict when it will occur. Therefore, it is not always possible to warn tourists about the danger.
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There was no lava outburst, as is usually the case with eruptions, this time - the volcano was born only in clouds of dust and gas.
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A military helicopter evacuates a victim from a mountainside.
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Ontake has over 1000 rescuers. Their work was interrupted due to the release of toxic gases.
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It is reported by the Japanese Meteorological Office.
According to preliminary data, the volcano threw out a column of ash and smoke 4.7 kilometers high. The eruption of "explosive nature" was recorded at 07.20 local time (01:20 - Kiev time). In addition, large stones were ejected at a distance of 800-1 thousand meters from the crater.
Due to the eruption of the volcano, the nearest to it settlements covered with ashes. On this moment 3 level of danger out of 5 possible is declared. It is forbidden to approach and climb the mountain. If the situation gets worse, people will be evacuated.
Photo: twitter.com/mokomoko_0403
Photo: twitter.com/mokomoko_0403
Photo: twitter.com/rid_1996_Aerts
The height of the Sakurajima volcano is 1117 meters, and the area is about 77 km². It also has three peaks. Since 1955, the volcano has erupted almost constantly. It is a tourist attraction and has a ferry service.
As reported by "Apostrophe", earlier, as a result of which at least 25 people died and more than 200 were injured.
Japan is a small island country with a distinctive history and culture. Did you know that there are 109 active volcanoes in Japan, which is about 10 percent of all active volcanoes in the world? At the same time, more than 70 percent of Japan's territory is in mountainous areas, and therefore it is not surprising that volcanoes play a significant role in the culture and mythology of Japan. From the majestic Mount Fuji to the underwater volcano that formed new island just last year, volcanoes in Japan offer an impressive sight.
Near the city of Shimabara on the island of Kyushu, there is a group of volcanoes known as Mount Unzen. These volcanoes erupted six million years ago, and until recently, they were thought to be dormant volcanoes. In 1934, a National park and even a small village has grown up where tourists can stay. In 1990, one of the volcanoes, Mount Fügen, experienced a series of eruptions. Today, the mountain is dormant again, and visitors can climb its 1359 meter peak for panoramic views. To shorten the path, most tourists climb from Mount Vashim, the summit of which can be reached in a three-minute lift on the Nita Pass.
2. Mount Aso.
Mount Aso, or Aso-San, is actually five separate volcanic peaks. The volcano is on south island Japan Kyushu, near the city of Kumamoto. Mount Aso-San is so massive that several villages are located within its borders. One of the five volcanoes, Mount Nakadake, is still active and is the area's main attraction, but when the volcano spews gas, the entire area is closed to the public. Other peaks are also popular with tourists. Tours in the region range from short walks to multiple day hikes. Next to the Mount Aso Museum is a helipad where visitors can buy breathtaking flights over the volcano.
1. Mount Fuji
Less than two hours' drive from Tokyo, Mount Fuji (or Mount Fuji) is Japan's most recognizable landmark, visited by millions of tourists. Legend has it that Mount Fuji was created on one day. Geologically, an established volcano is thought to have formed on top of an old volcano about 10,000 years ago. The climb to the top of Mount Fuji is so popular that there is even a post office at the top. So those who reach the summit can send a postcard home from the ridge of the peak 3800 meters above sea level.
Nature has generously endowed the Land of the Rising Sun with fabulous landscapes. However, some of these gifts are sometimes not only staggering, but also dangerous, sometimes even deadly, qualities. These are volcanoes, the list of which includes both active and dormant volcanic objects. The danger, pleasantly tickling the nerves, attracts hundreds of tourists and explorers from all over the world. While conquering the tops of Japan's majestic Fire Mountains, travelers make unique photos for memory.
The reasons for the formation of volcanoes
Japan is located at the junction of four tectonic plates: the Eurasian, North American, Philippine and Pacific plates. Colliding with each other, they create faults, tectonic belts and raise the mountain landscape. Almost every minute, the country's seismic stations register powerful shocks, which often develop into devastating earthquakes... This explains a lot why there are many volcanoes in Japan.
Impressive active volcanoes
In the middle of the twentieth century. scientists have more accurately established how many active volcanoes are in Japan. According to the latest classification, there are 450 mountains of fire in the country, of which 110 are active, located from Hokkaido to Iwo Jima. Here they are:
Dormant volcanoes
Today, there are about 1500 active volcanoes on our planet. Immediately 110 of them are located in Japan. There is nothing surprising here, because this country is part of the "Ring of Fire" - a group of volcanoes located in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Where are the Japanese volcanoes
Considering the large number of volcanoes and not the most significant area of \u200b\u200bJapan, we can safely say that they are literally "at every step" here. Nevertheless, looking at the map, you can easily determine that a solid part of active volcanoes is concentrated in Eastern Japan. There are few, many 89 of them. The rest are located in the west of the country.
How often volcanoes erupt in Japan
Do not think that eruptions in the Land of the Rising Sun occur constantly. In fact, during the entire twentieth century, only four such cases were recorded here.
However, scientists and local residents are still in constant tension, because even with the help of modern technologies it is far from always possible to accurately predict exactly when an eruption will happen.
What is the case with the Ontake volcano, the last eruption of which is dated 2014. It was believed to be relatively safe and hundreds of tourists climbed here every day.
The eruption began suddenly and caused the death of several dozen people. More than a hundred more were injured of varying severity.
Fujiyama (Fuji)
Mount Fuji (Fuji) is the largest and highest volcano in Japan and is often associated with this country. So, it can often be seen in films, as well as on the canvases of famous artists and photographs taken by tourists.
Here are a few interesting facts about this giant:
- The height of the summit is 3776 meters.
- The last eruption took place in 1707.
- The volcano is private, since at the beginning of the 17th century the shogun donated the mountain to one of the temples.
- On the slopes of Fujiyama, there are constantly more than fifty sophisticated instruments that help to monitor its activity - they do not observe any other volcano in the world more closely.
- Anyone can visit Fuji in the company of a guide during the tour.
Conclusion
Japanese volcanoes are a unique combination of beauty and danger. Locals treat them with respect and hope never to feel the wrath of these giants.
According to scientists' forecasts, the eruption of even one large volcano located in the country The rising sun, can provoke many cataclysms around the world. No wonder hundreds of people are watching their condition.
