Spectacular eruption of Aso volcano, one of the most watched in Japan

It is one of the most watched volcanoes in the Japanese archipelago, and the images are spectacular. Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, erupted on Wednesday, October 20, throwing ash 3,500 meters above sea level and hastily removing hikers from this southern tourist spot. Where is.

No injuries were immediately reported after the eruption, at the end of the morning, of this volcano culminating at 1,592 meters, which blew up rocks following an impressive explosion filmed by CCTV cameras.

Authorities have warned locals and tourists not to approach the volcano, as hot gases and ashes rise and stones roll down its green slopes.

Located on the island of Kyushu, Mount Aso is one of the hundred active volcanoes placed under close surveillance in Japan, just like Mount Fuji, a hundred kilometers from Tokyo.

Authorities were checking, among other things, whether hikers might have been trapped, local officials said to Japanese media, while images showed dozens of tourist vehicles and coaches parked in the parking lot of a nearby museum offering a ride. unobstructed view of the volcano.

Torrents of pale gray ash flowed from Mount Aso towards the museum, but did not reach the site. For those who are nearby, “You have to watch out for large rocks and flows of pyroclastic materials”, said Tomoaki Ozaki, head of the Japan Meteorological Agency, at a televised press conference.

Volcano under close surveillance

Screenshot of a video of the eruption of the Aso volcano on October 20, 2021.

“Caution is required, even in remote areas, because the wind can carry not only ashes, but also stones”, added Mr. Ozaki, who also pointed out the potential danger of the presence of toxic gases.

The Japanese archipelago is located on the Pacific “ring of fire”, which records a large number of earthquakes on the planet. Located on the island of Kyushu, Mount Aso is one of the hundred active volcanoes placed under close surveillance in Japan, like Mount Fuji, a hundred kilometers from Tokyo.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency had warned in recent days against an increase in volcanic activity in the region of Mount Aso. In September 2014, Japan suffered its deadliest eruption in nearly ninety years when Mount Ontake in central Japan suddenly came into operation, surprising hundreds of hikers and killing 63 people.

Located on the island of Kyushu, Mount Aso is one of the hundred active volcanoes placed under close surveillance in Japan, just like Mount Fuji, a hundred kilometers from Tokyo.
Read also Violent eruption of a volcano in central Japan

The World with AFP

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