Catastrophic eruption of Mount Ontake in Japan. The streets were covered with a layer of ash: photos and videos of a powerful volcanic eruption in Japan were published Impressive active volcanoes

Today on our planet there are about 1500 active volcanoes. 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 Japanese volcanoes located?

Considering a large number of volcanoes and not the most significant area of ​​Japan, we can safely say that they are here literally “at every step.” However, by looking at the map, you can easily determine that a significant portion of active volcanoes are concentrated in Eastern Japan. There are quite a few of them here - 89. The rest are located in the west of the country.

How often do volcanoes erupt in Japan?

Do not think that eruptions in the Land of the Rising Sun occur constantly. In fact, only four such cases were recorded here in the entire twentieth century.

However, scientists and local residents are still in constant tension, because even with the help of modern technologies it is not always possible to accurately predict exactly when an eruption will occur.

Consider the case of the Ontake volcano, the last eruption of which dates back to 2014. It was considered 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 degrees of severity.

Fujiyama (Fuji)

Mount Fuji (Fuji) is the largest and highest in Japan and is often associated with this country. Thus, it can often be seen in films, as well as in paintings by famous artists and photographs taken by tourists.

Here are a few interesting facts about this giant:

• The height of the peak is 3776 meters.
• Last eruption happened in 1707.
• The volcano is private since the shogun donated the mountain to one of the temples in the early 17th century.
• More than fifty sophisticated instruments are constantly located on the slopes of Fuji to help monitor its activity - no other volcano in the world is monitored more closely.
• Anyone can visit Fuji in the company of a guide during an excursion.

Conclusion

Japan's volcanoes are a unique combination of beauty and danger. Locals treat them with respect and hope to never feel the wrath of these giants.

According to scientists' forecasts, the eruption of even one large volcano located on the territory of the Land of the Rising Sun, can provoke many disasters around the world. It’s not for nothing that hundreds of people monitor their condition.

The death toll from the Ontake volcano eruption, which began on Saturday, has reached 46 people. The unexpected activity of the volcano took several hundred tourists and climbers on its slopes by surprise. About 100 people managed to go down, the rest were forced to seek shelter on the mountain. On currently Most of them have already been evacuated by rescuers. Many were hospitalized in critical condition. The exact number of those remaining is unknown, it is assumed that there are about 10-20 people.

The search and rescue operation is ongoing due to the ongoing activity of the volcano.

This is how it happens (photo source: Kyodo News)…

Photo 2.

Ontake Volcano is located 200 km from Tokyo. According to scientists, it was a small eruption.

Photo 3.

Japan is located in a collision zone of tectonic plates, so sudden volcanic eruptions occur there periodically. In the photo: tourists rush to leave the vicinity of Ontake.

Photo 4.

A column of volcanic dust during eruptions can reach a height of up to 50 km. This time at Ontake the pillar was only 10 km high.

Photo 5.

According to experts, during powerful eruptions the surroundings of the volcano can be covered with a layer of dust… a kilometer thick.

Photo 6.

The area around the Ontake volcano is covered with only a 20-centimeter layer of dust, but it looks as if it were the ancient Roman Pompeii.

Photo 7.

According to scientists, if a low-power volcanic eruption is brewing, it is impossible to predict when it will happen. Therefore, it is not always possible to warn tourists about the danger.

Photo 8.

This time there was no lava emission, as is usually the case during eruptions - the volcano erupted only into clouds of dust and gas.

Photo 9.

A military helicopter evacuates a victim from a mountainside.

Photo 10.

More than 1,000 rescuers work on Ontake. Their work was interrupted due to the release of toxic gases.

Photo 11.

Photo 12.

Japan is small island country with its own unique 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. With more than 70 percent of Japan's territory being mountainous, it is not surprising that volcanoes play a significant role in Japanese culture and mythology. From majestic mountain Fuji, to the underwater volcano that formed new island Just last year, volcanoes in Japan offered an impressive spectacle.

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 it was created here National Park and even a small village has grown up to accommodate tourists. In 1990, one of the volcanoes, Mount Fügen, experienced a series of eruptions. Today the mountain lies dormant again and visitors can climb to its 1,359 meter peak to enjoy panoramic view. To shorten the journey, most tourists climb from Mount Washim, the top of which can be reached in a three-minute ride on the ski lift at Nita Pass.

2. Mount Aso.

Mount Aso, or Aso San, is actually five separate volcanic peaks. The volcano is located 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 erupts, the entire area is closed to the public. Other peaks are also popular with tourists. Tours in the region range from short walks to multi-day hikes. Next to the Mount Aso Museum is Helipad, where visitors can purchase breathtaking flights over the volcano.

1. Mount Fuji

Located less than two hours from Tokyo, Mount Fuji (or Fuji) is Japan's most recognizable landmark, visited by millions of tourists. Legend has it that Mount Fuji was created in one day. Geologically, the established volcano is believed 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 crest of the peak, 3,800 meters above sea level.

Nature has generously gifted the Land of the Rising Sun fabulous landscapes. However, some of these gifts are sometimes not only amazing, but also have dangerous, sometimes even deadly, qualities. We are talking about volcanoes, the list of which includes both active and dormant volcanic objects. The danger, which pleasantly tickles the nerves, attracts hundreds of tourists and researchers from all over the world. Conquering the peaks of the majestic fiery mountains of Japan, travelers make unique photos as a keepsake.

Reasons for the formation of volcanoes

Japan is located at the junction of four tectonic plates: the Eurasian, North American, Philippine and Pacific. Colliding with each other, they create faults, tectonic belts and raise the mountain landscape. Almost every minute, the country's seismic stations record powerful tremors, which often develop into destructive earthquakes. This largely explains why Japan has many volcanoes.

Impressive active volcanoes

In the middle of the twentieth century. Scientists have more accurately determined how many active volcanoes there are in Japan. According to the latest classification, there are 450 fire mountains in the country, of which 110 are active, located from Hokkaido to Iwo Jima. Here they are:

Dormant volcanoes