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Natural disasters in Japan 3 Volcanic Eruptions

Currently, Japan has 111 active volcanoes (volcanoes that have erupted within the past 10,000 years and volcanoes with active fumarolic activity), making it one of the world’s leading volcanic powers. When a volcano erupts, volcanic blocks (various sizes), pyroclastic flows, snowmelting volcanic mudflows (a phenomenon in which snow and ice melt due to the heat of lava and pyroclastic flows, and volcanic ejecta and water mix and flow on the ground surface), lava flows, volcanic ash, Volcanic gas is generated and causes damage.

In particular, large volcanic blocks, pyroclastic flows, and snow-melting volcanic mudflows leave almost no time to evacuate from the eruption, so it is important to evacuate as soon as an alert is issued.

Damage caused by volcanic eruptions includes the following:

• Volcanic block

These rocks are blown away from the crater by the force of the eruption, and because they fly with tremendous force, even small ones are extremely dangerous.

• Pyroclastic flow

It flows on the earth’s surface in a state where solid substances on fragments released by eruptions and volcanic gas are mixed. Its speed can exceed 100 km/h and its temperature can reach 1000°C, causing great destruction, and if a person is caught in it, they will die instantly.

• Lava flow

Magma erupting from a volcano flows down the earth’s surface. With a temperature of around 1000 degrees Celsius, it covers the surface of the earth and burns plants.

• Volcanic ash, volcanic gas

In addition to causing health hazards such as eyes, nose, throat, and bronchial tubes, ash accumulates on roads, fields, and houses, and can kill crops and destroy machinery such as traffic lights.

Prepare for a volcanic eruption

It is important to prepare in advance for when a volcanic eruption occurs. Here are some things to do to prepare for a volcanic eruption.

(1) Know the volcanic alert level and actions to take.

The volcanic alert level is a 5-level setting of the “area where caution is required” and the “disaster prevention measures to be taken” by disaster prevention agencies and residents, etc., according to the activity of the volcano.

Eruption forecast

Note that this is a level 1 active volcano

Volcanic warning (around the crater)

Level 2 crater area regulations

Level 3 entry restrictions

Special Alert (Residence Area)

Level 4 Elderly Evacuation

Level 5 evacuation

If you live near an active volcano, or if you plan to go on a trip or mountaineering near an active volcano, check the hazard map in advance for dangerous areas.

(2) Confirm evacuation sites and evacuation routes.

In case of emergency, check the evacuation site and evacuation route in advance so that you can evacuate quickly without panicking.

(3) Know about eruption alerts.

This announcement is made to quickly notify local residents and climbers of the occurrence of an eruption and encourage them to take action to protect themselves. Depending on the scale of the eruption, the volcanic alert level may be raised, or the area requiring caution may expand, so please be aware of your surroundings.

Actions and countermeasures in the event of a volcanic eruption

The extent to which you can evacuate as smoothly as possible will greatly determine whether or not there will be damage. If your municipality orders you to evacuate in advance due to the risk of an eruption, please follow them immediately.

The same applies when an eruption bulletin is issued. Start evacuating immediately and head to the evacuation site that you have confirmed in advance.

At the time of the Eruption, volcanic ash is troublesome. Here are some things to keep in mind to protect yourself.

• Do not inhale, such as wearing a dust mask.
• Should this get in your eyes, rinse with water. We recommend wearing glasses instead of contact lenses.
• Do not touch the skin as it may cause inflammation.