Japan prepares for possible major eruption of Mount Fuji

The last time Mount Fuji erupted was more than 300 years ago, but experts say it is necessary to prepare for such a disaster now.

Mount Fuji - Photo: ISTOCK/YONGYUAN

According to Japan Today, on March 21, a Japanese government committee compiled measures to be taken in the event of a large-scale ash eruption on Mount Fuji.

Accordingly, the measures are classified into 4 levels based on the severity of the situation.

Level 1 applies when ash falls below 3cm and there is a risk of rail disruption. Level 2 is defined as ashfall of 3 to 30cm, where emergency restoration of essential services such as electricity is still possible.

People will not be asked to evacuate at the above two levels as the danger level is considered relatively low, and organizing large-scale evacuations in crowded areas is considered complicated.

Level 3 is defined as when ash falls between 3 and 30cm but essential services such as electricity are cut off and cannot be restored immediately.

At this point, local authorities may consider evacuating residents to other areas.

Ashfall of 30cm or more would be considered a level 4, at which point residents would be advised to evacuate. The committee is concerned that wooden houses could collapse under the weight of the ash if combined with rain.

The expert panel also called for stockpiling emergency supplies such as food and water in case of an eruption, AFP reported, noting that its report did not predict when or how large the next eruption might be.

Mount Fuji is 3,776m high, located between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, west of Tokyo. It is the highest mountain in the land of the rising sun.

The last time Mount Fuji erupted was more than 300 years ago, in 1707. At that time, the eruptions lasted for 16 days, leaving a layer of volcanic ash about 4cm thick in what is now central Tokyo, according to historical records.

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THANH HIEN