Posted on 02/09/2006 10:22:34 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Govt set to approve Mt. Fuji eruption disaster plan
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The government has drafted a set of disaster-prevention measures to be implemented if Mt. Fuji erupts, which provide detailed evacuation instructions and call for the creation of task forces to be set up by local governments to enable better coordination of efforts to prevent death and injury, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The draft is set to be approved at a meeting of the Central Disaster Prevention Council, chaired by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, by the middle of this month, after which regional governments will be notified.
According to historical documents, Mt. Fuji has erupted 10 times since the Nara period (710-794). The eruptions in 800, 864 and 1707 were the three largest.
Although Mt. Fuji has not erupted for about 300 years, a recent increase in low-frequency earthquakes indicates magma is moving below the volcano. The number of quakes rose sharply from average levels in the autumn of 2000 and in the spring of 2001.
In 2004, a government panel drew up a map showing the areas that could be affected by an eruption and the problems those areas might face.
The latest plan, which was drawn up based on the map, sets out measures to be taken before, during and after a blast from Mt. Fuji. It also states how the central government should coordinate emergency efforts with relevant local governments.
The Meteorological Agency issues information about potential eruptions in three stages: a volcanic advisory (precautionary); a second volcanic advisory (possible eruption); and a volcanic alert (eruption warning). The plan will use the agency's warning levels to determine when tourists should be prevented from entering an area and places in need of evacuation.
At the precautionary stage, tourists will be advised not to enter the area around the volcano. If an eruption is likely, residents of areas where a crater might be generated and where lava flows are expected to hit within three hours also will be instructed to evacuate.
The measures to be taken after an eruption occurs have been set according to five types of emissions--volcanic cinder, volcanic ash, lava flow, pyroclastic flow (comprising ash and small rocks) and mudflow of volcanic material.
In areas expected to be hit by a lava or pyroclastic flow, residents will be told to evacuate on foot and gather at designated points. From these points evacuees will be moved in groups by buses organized by relevant local governments.
If there is potential for a volcanic mudflow, residents will be given an evacuation order only if a heavy rain warning is issued.
The plan advises governmental bodies to organize a coordinated response. Local governments in the areas threatened by an eruption are advised to create a joint task force to respond if a Meteorological Agency volcanic advisory is issued. To help avoid sectionalism among governmental offices, the task forces will be made up of teams experienced in evacuation measures, the coordination of information, and public relations.
The plan further advises the early establishment of a system that will enable governmental bodies to share volcano information, damage limitation measures and information about how best to restore public utilities and facilities following an eruption.
(Feb. 8, 2006)
Ping!
Ping!
You been raising a little heck over there, "G"??
Mt. Fuji webcam
http://www3.shizuokanet.ne.jp/sinet/cam.acgi
They already have a plan for that. It is called "Barbecued Teriyaki Godzilla.":-)
Damnn Tiger what going on don't tell me Godzilla is waking up LOL!
BBQ Godzilla does taste like chicken LOL!
OH MAN MT Fiji is nice volcano blame this on Godzilla LOL!
Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
I guess we won't be skiing Mt. Fuji this year.
No plan survives contact with the enemy.
Space Shuttle photos of snow-capped Fuji.
Hakone caldera
Hakone consists of seven central cones within double calderas. One of those cones is a stratovolcano and six are steep lava domes. The outer, older caldera was formed in the middle of a stratovolcano. The inner, younger caldera was formed in the middle of a shield volcano. The main part of the body of Hakone is a huge stratovolcano. This volcano has a central caldera 6.8 miles (11 km) across from north to south and 6.2 miles (10 km) across from east to west. The circular ridge surrounding this caldera is an old somma. It ranges in height from ~2600-4000 ft (800-1200 m).
Note to self....stop building cities next to a volcano.
Thu Jan 12, 10:45 AM ET
TOKYO (Reuters) - A lack of winter snow on Japan's famed Mount Fuji has sparked speculation the volcano could erupt for the first time in three centuries, but experts Thursday denied any link between snow and seismic activity.
Much of Japan has had record snowfall in the last month, but recent photographs of the usually snowcapped Mount Fuji show its slopes looking bare.
"A lot of snow fell on Mount Fuji, but it was blown off by strong winds," a city official in Fujiyoshida near Mount Fuji said.
Some tabloids have taken the snowless peak as a sign that an eruption was imminent, but scientists said there was no basis for concern.
"There is no link whatsoever between the scarcity of snow on Mount Fuji and volcanic activities there," said a scientist at the volcano section of Japan's Meteorological Agency.
The nearly conical Fuji is classified as a dormant volcano since it last erupted in 1707, but the government was rattled in November 2000 when the number of small earthquakes shaking the peak jumped to more than 200 from a monthly average of around 20.
Japan, which lies at the intersection of several tectonic plates, is regularly rattled by tremors of varying strength, with volcanic eruptions not infrequent.
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Rare day when a cold front clears away the smog and Fuji-san is is visible from the Kanto Plain. Definitely a view to enjoy while it is available!
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