Living with Volcanoes in Japan (IMPACTS) Case Study - H. E. Flashcards
How many volcanoes does Japan have, according to the Global Volcanism Programme?
110
How much of Japan’s landscape is mountainous and how was it formed?
70%, formed by volcanic activity over millions of years
Which tectonic plates is Japan situated over?
Eurasian, North American, Pacific, Philippine plates
Approximately how many volcanic eruptions have occurred in Japan in the last 2000 years?
1,200
Describe the approximate size and location of Mount Ontake.
It is a strato-volcano located 200km west of Tokyo on the island of Honshu, it is 3000m high
What state has Mount Ontake been in for some time and when did that change?
Its been dormant for centuries until a series of eruptions between October 1979 and April 1980
How was Mount Ontake popular in the 1980s, 90s and 2000s?
Popular with climbers/trekkers, place of spiritual pilgrimage for Japanese people
When did the most recent major eruption of Mount Ontake occur?
27th September 2014
Why was the eruption of Mount Ontake so damaging?
The volcano was not under any alerts or warnings, although some increased earthquake activity occurred
What were some of the hazards of the Mount Ontake eruption?
Ash fall, pyroclastic flows, volcanic bombs, lahars
How many died in the Mount Ontake eruption?
63
Who were the majority of the casualties of the Mount Ontake eruption and how many made it to safety?
Mostly climbers and hikers, 200 made it to safety, later aided by search and rescue teams
What decisions were made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after the Mount Ontake eruption?
Military deployed to help, air space was closed as a precaution
