Magma accumulation highlights growing threat from Japanese volcano

University of Bristol ^ | 9/13/2016 | University of Bristol

[JimSEA]

A research team led by the University of Bristol has found magma build-up beneath Japan's Aira caldera and Sakurajima volcano may indicate a growing threat to Kagoshima city and its 600,000 inhabitants.

Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes with small, localised eruptions nearly every day, but the history of the volcano is even more ferocious. In 1914, a large explosive eruption killed 58 people and caused widespread flooding in the adjacent city of Kagoshima as the ground subsided due to the withdrawal of magma from the subsurface.

Continued measurements of the ground movement since that eruption show that the whole area is uplifting. By combining recent GPS deformation measurements with other geophysical data and advanced 3D computer models, Dr Hickey and his co-authors were able to reconstruct the magma plumbing system beneath the caldera.

Their results show that magma is being supplied to the system at a faster rate than it is being erupted from Sakurajima volcano. This causes the ground to swell as the magma reservoir expands below the surface. A volume of 14 million m3 is supplied each year, equal to roughly 3.5 times the volume of Wembley stadium.

[JimSEA]

Naples isn't the only location that is in danger of being wiped out by an adjacent volcano. Other locations in Africa, Europe and Seattle, WA come to mind. In fact At the base of Nyiragongo volcano in Africa sprawls Goma, a city of one million that was largely destroyed and has been rebuilt in the last several years. Another such eruption could come at any time.

[dp0622]

Naples :( Where pop was from. Donated to the cause.

This would be very bad if it lets loose

[JimSEA]

It shows the importance of studying such things even though it might not be used daily. The view of Vesuvius from Naples is intimidating.

[rjsimmon]

I have flown over Sakurajima multiple times. It always glows from magma and often erupts. The people living at its base are used to it. Maybe we could send them videos of the movie “The Last Days of Pompeii”?

[dp0622]

Norcia and Amatrice got clocked.

It’s heartbreaking and it was VERY devastating.

Can’t imagine a way to ever control volcanoes or earthquakes.

But staying on top of the status of volcanoes is very important.

[RayChuang88]

Japan's westernmost island of Kyushu has TWO potentially dangerous volcanoes--Sakurajima mentioned in the article and Mount Aso almost in the center of that island. Both have very large calderas that could result in a truly massive eruption--eruptions that could rival Mount Pinatubo in 1991 and in the case of Mount Aso, even rival Mount Tambora's eruption in 1815. A massive eruption would affect the Northern Hemisphere climate for at least a couple of years, and could result in much colder winters in the higher northern latitudes.

[Migraine]

Hawaii’s smokestacks are getting these same indicators, as was reported (with some degree of alarm) earlier this week.

[chajin]

The 1980 four-part series on Japan hosted by Julia Roberts begins with elementary children going to school on Sakurajima, wearing hard hats and construction vests to protect themselves from the daily ash spewing of the volcano.

[Jack Hammer]

As if the Japanese didn’t have enough to worry about with all China’s bellicose rumblings.

[bgill]

Radiation, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and nearly 130k people on the island. Not on my bucket list.

[refermech]

Fracking might help...

[JimSEA]

Tough, resilient and very polite people. Lots to see and very beautiful. You risk from all causes is likely about the same as a drive in the city.

[JimSEA]

About all you is get out of the way when they decide to go.

[wally_bert]

At least SPECTRE isn't doing anything with a volcano.

[Jack Hammer]

“The name’s Bond. James Bond.”