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According to Japan Today, a committee under the Japanese government has recently completed compiling a series of necessary response measures in case Mount Fuji erupts ash on a large scale. This is a proactive step to prepare for the worst-case scenario, even though the last eruption of Mount Fuji occurred more than 300 years ago.
These response measures are categorized into four different levels, based on the severity of the situation, to ensure flexibility and effectiveness in handling emergencies. Specifically, Level 1 is activated when the amount of ash falls to below 3cm, posing a risk of disruption to the railway system. Level 2 is applied when the amount of ash ranges from 3 to 30cm; in this case, emergency restoration of essential services such as electricity is still possible.
Recently, the Japanese government released a detailed report on response measures in case Mount Fuji erupts.
It is noteworthy that, at both initial levels, the Japanese government did not require residents to evacuate. The main reason is that the danger level was assessed as relatively low, and organizing large-scale relocation in densely populated areas was considered a complex task that could cause more difficulties and risks than benefits. However, this does not mean the Japanese government is being complacent. They are still closely monitoring the situation and preparing for worse-case scenarios, where ash levels exceed 30 cm, which could cause far more serious consequences.
When volcanic ash falls to a depth of 3 to 30 cm, but essential services like electricity are cut off and cannot be restored immediately, the situation will be assessed as level 3. In this case, local authorities will face serious challenges in maintaining basic operations and ensuring the safety of residents. Therefore, evacuating people to safer areas will be seriously considered, depending on the actual situation and the authorities' response capabilities.
Although there are currently no signs of volcanic activity, scientists say an eruption at this mountain could cause a major disaster.
If the amount of ash falls to a depth of 30cm or more, the situation will be upgraded to level 4, the highest level of danger. In this situation, evacuation of residents will become mandatory to protect their lives and property. The expert committee is concerned that, with such a dense amount of ash, traditional Japanese wooden houses could collapse under the weight of the ash, especially when combined with heavy rain, causing unpredictable damage.
An estimated major eruption at the summit of Mount Fuji could release up to 490 million cubic meters of ash into the atmosphere.
To prepare for a worst-case scenario, the expert committee also called for stockpiling emergency supplies such as food and drinking water. This is crucial to ensure that people can sustain themselves in the initial days after a disaster, when supply operations may be disrupted. However, it is important to note that the committee's report did not offer any specific predictions about the timing or scale of the next eruption.
Currently, there are no signs that Mount Fuji, at 3,776 meters, will erupt anytime soon. Authorities are closely monitoring the summit as it is classified as an active volcano, not an extinct one.
Mount Fuji, with its impressive height of 3,776 meters, lies between the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, west of Tokyo. It is not only the highest mountain in Japan, but also a significant cultural and spiritual symbol for the people. Although the last eruption of Mount Fuji occurred more than 300 years ago, in 1707, its consequences are still remembered. At that time, the eruptions lasted for 16 days, leaving a layer of volcanic ash about 4 cm thick in what is now central Tokyo, according to historical records. This demonstrates that even a relatively small eruption can have a significant impact on the surrounding area.
