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Pressure Mounts Inside Mount Fuji: Could it Blow?
Why experts believe Japan's iconic volcano could soon erupt
(Alamy Images)
Volcanologists are speculating that Japan's Mount Fuji is poised to blow. The iconic volcano, which at 12,388 feet tall is the highest mountain in Japan, last erupted in 1707, killing more than 20,000 people. New readings taken by the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention show that pressure inside the volcano's magma chamber is nearly 16 times greater than needed to trigger an eruption -- which could mean disaster.
According to Wired UK, experts believe an eruption is overdue:
An eruption could cost the country over $31 billion and endanger more than 400,000 people. In preparation, disaster prevention experts have begun drafting an evacuation plan for the Kanagawa, Yamanashi and Shizuoka regions that will be tested by 2014.In May 2012 a professor from Ryukyu University warned that a massive eruption within three years would be likely because of several major factors: steam and gases are being emitted from the crater, water eruptions are occurring nearby, massive holes emitting hot natural gases are appearing in the vicinity and finally, the warning sign that pushed the professor to make the announcement, a 34km (21mile)-long fault was found underneath the volcano. The fault, experts suggested, could indicate a total collapse of the mountainside if there is another significant shift, and it would probably cause a collapse in the event of an eruption, leading to huge mud and landslides.
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26 Comments
Poor old Japan. One damned thing after another.
September 11 2012 at 7:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFilm at eleven.
September 11 2012 at 6:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI remember a video taken by a photographer showing he and his wife's escape from an erupting volcano in their 4-wheel drive. They didn't make it, they were too close when the ash began falling and asphyxiated them. I wonder what the minimum distance from an eruption here would be that you could still get away? If the magma chamber is 16 times eruption pressure, this could be a Krakatoa event. Interesting that 12/21/12 is on the way and this thing hasn't gone off yet.
September 11 2012 at 12:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThese poor people don't need more misery.
September 11 2012 at 8:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf Fuji is obliterated it would be as result of perfectly normal processes in geology. Japan is in an active zone, there is no getting around it. They know it and are generally more prepared than most places for these natural processes. I live in Mexico on the transverse volcanic belt, there are volcanos and earthquakes. Popocatepetal has been rumbling a lot lately, if he blows up there are 25 million people within 50 miles. Stuff happens. The earth is not stable but is in a constant state of action. Too bad for us.
September 09 2012 at 9:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAbsolutely on the money. All of the island chains and landmasses along the Pacific Ring of Fire are subject to these and other geologic events. You want to talk about global climate change, consider the impact of one or more of these major volcanoes erupting. Certainly mitigating effects to anthropogenic global warming, if not plunging many areas into another "mini" ice age.
September 11 2012 at 1:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI can remember when my dad was stationed in Japan, we took a train up to Mt Fuji and stayed at a spa resort. I would hate to think this beautiful landmark could be obliterated. We are truly at the mercy of nature.
September 07 2012 at 10:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHistory shows us again and again how nature points out the folly of man..
September 07 2012 at 6:40 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyKarma notwithstanding, nobody thinks "IT" will happen to them. The quake and tsunami in Indonesia, then in Japan, hurricanes, tornadoes. You either stay put and try to stay safe, or get the He** outta
September 07 2012 at 6:21 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyDodge. I just pray that the Japanese take this seriously and start making plans. Seems the boy who cried wolf ain't kidding anymore..........
OHHHH WHOA... they say its about to blow, God...God...God zilla!
September 07 2012 at 6:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply(blue oyster cult)
All of their Quake, and wave problems stem from the same source, Fuji is just the next part. Time to begin planning an evacuation from that area of Japan.
September 07 2012 at 5:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply