> Earth Changes Archives > Mt. Fuji << Prev Topic | Author Comment Yarrow Spirit Registered User Posts: 74 (2/13/01 11:13:38 am) Reply | Edit | Del All Mt. Fuji -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For your information: www.earthchangestv.com/breaking/February2001/0212japanese.htm

February 12 , 2001 Japanese Told to be Prepared for Mt. Fuji Eruption TOKYO (AFP) - The Japanese were warned by an influential newspaper Monday about a catastrophe they dread imagining -- the eruption of the revered Mount Fuji. "Be prepared without panic," the Asahi Shimbun appealed in the headline of an editorial, dealing with a theme which usually finds no place in the prestigious column.

The warning followed a marked increase in low-frequency tremors deep under the volcano, a national symbol 100 kilometres (63 miles) west of Tokyo, which last erupted in 1707.

The committee for predicting volcanic eruptions at Japan's Meteorological Agency said last week that it would launch an intensive study whether the tremors meant that Fuji would blow its top.

Known worldwide for its archetypal volcanic cone, the country's highest mountain at 3,776 metres (12,461 feet) is one of 86 active cones on the Japanese archipelago.

"The low-frequency earthquakes are a message from Fujisan that says 'I am alive,'" the newspaper said. "We wish that they will work out countermeasures suitable for the mountain which represents Japan."

An average of about 10 low-frequency tremors have been recorded annually under Fuji. But there were 497 in the last three months of 2000 alone, centred between 10 and 20 kilometres (6-12 miles) underground, according to the Meteorological Agency.

The agency said there was magma activity deep inside the mountain but an eruption was not believed to be "imminent" because they had detected no upward magma flows, or any related movement of the earth's crust.

It recalled, however, similar low-frequency quakes were detected between May 26 and June 8, 1991 deep below Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, just weeks before it erupted violently.

The newspaper also ruled out Fuji's imminent eruption. But it said, "We should seize on this opportunity to work out countermeasures without becoming unnecessary noisy or hasty."

Asahi also urged local authorities to draw up hazard maps, based on historical data and the terrain, to try and predict the path of possible pyroclastic flows of lava and super-heated toxic gases.

When Fuji last erupted 300 years ago, it spewed rock and lava over the surrounding countryside and volcanic ash showered down 100 kilometres (62 miles) to the east on Edo, as Tokyo was then known, for two weeks. The same area is now home to nearly 33 million people.

The daily pointed out that authorities were baulking at making such maps for fear of scaring away tourists and leaving residents in suspense. Fuji attracted 2.2 million visitors to its home prefecture of Yamanashi in 1999.

Maggie MM World's Bestest News Finder! Posts: 101 (2/13/01 12:28:59 pm) Reply | Edit | Del Re: Mt. Fuji -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks Mary Ann, very good article. After reading it, it sure sounds like it will erupt. The article said:

"When Fuji last erupted 300 years ago, it spewed rock and lava over the surrounding countryside and volcanic ash showered down 100 kilometres (62 miles) to the east on Edo, as Tokyo was then known, for two weeks. The same area is now home to nearly 33 million people".

If it did the same thing now, the damage it would do... would be incrediable! So many more people living there now. Hopefully they can evacuate the people to a safer area but, not sure where they would put them. An eruption would cause great damage to the peoples homes and the countries economy!

Hope it was okay to call you Mary Ann.

Maggie

Yarrow Spirit Registered User Posts: 75 (2/13/01 12:54:32 pm) Reply | Edit | Del Re: Mt. Fuji -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maggie... no problem calling me Mary Ann... it is a name I have always enjoyed and love.... unlike my kids who seem to hate their names... temporarily... course, Joachim is kinda different...

I appreciate the articles that you find as well...

-- Kona (konaal2000@yahoo.com), July 11, 2001