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Steam rises from the rocky mountain slopes near the hot springs resort of Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture on Wednesday. (AFP photo)
Volcanic activity at Mount Hakone is intensifying to levels unseen over recent years, an expert said Friday after conducting research in a no-entry zone.
Tokai University professor Takeshi Oba told Kyodo News that analysis of gas spurting from the ground in the Owakudani hot spring district, some 80 kilometres southwest of Tokyo, showed magma activity is intensifying.
Roaring sounds have been heard near fumaroles in Owakudani, permeated by an odor of sulfur dioxide, according to Oba. In 1933, fumarolic gas erupted in the area, killing one person.
Volcanic activity around Mount Hakone also temporarily intensified in 2001. Oba, who has researched the volcano over many years, said the recent activity is “completely different” from the situation observed until April and “quite similar” to 2001.
Visitors check a notice as the gate is closed at Mount Hakone in Kanagawa prefecture on Monday. (AFP photo)
But the volcano did not erupt at that time, and Oba said “it is difficult to know accurately the chance of eruption” now.
Volcanic earthquakes continued Friday after authorities raised the alert level on Wednesday.
Minister in charge of disaster prevention Eriko Yamatani called on people to act calmly as the government worries about potential damage to local businesses, particularly the tourism sector, from baseless rumours.
The Japan Meteorological Agency sent an observation team to the area for the first time since it raised the alert level, confirming steam has been erupting furiously around Owakudani.
Separately, the Geographical Information Authority said it found ground around Owakudani has risen by up to six centimetres since October, apparently due to crustal movement.
The finding led a local government to freeze until Monday its permission for hot spring and other business operators to enter an evacuation area within a radius of about 300 metres around Owakudani.
Courtesy of bangkokpost.com
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