Mount Fuji’s Last Recorded Eruption

Danielle Margareth Piler

PUBMAT | Anthony Beronque

DID YOU KNOW?

Scientists reported the last known eruption of Mount Fuji, Japan's highest point, on the 16th of December 1707. Mount Fuji’s previous eruption spewed tons of tephra into the atmosphere; tephra refers to any solid volcanic substance that isn't lava or gas. Moreover, volcanic ashes and volcanic rocks, including pumice and scoria, were among the tephra ejected by Mount Fuji's 1707 eruption, also known as the Hoei Eruption.

The tephra released by the eruption covered Edo (today Tokyo's core business district, more than 100 kilometers distant). A seismic tremor set the scene for Fuji's Hoei explosion. A primed Mount Fuji exploded due to the estimated 8.6 magnitude earthquake. It's difficult to separate the effects of these tragedies, particularly the casualties, from a tsunami. However, the damage to residences near Fuji may be linked to the Hoei eruption. Many people died of starvation as a result of the tephra fallout, which lowered agricultural output in the region.

However, seismic activity underneath the volcano was marginally enhanced between 2000 and 2001, raising concerns about the volcano's imminent reawakening. Mount Fuji is still an active volcano today; hence, scientists are still observing for any seismic activity occurring and its possible eruption.

Mount Fuji (Fuji-san, 富士山 in Japanese) is Japan's tallest volcano and highest mountain. It’s also one of the Three Holy Mountains, along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. Fuji is a stunning and perfect stratovolcano located 60 miles southwest of Tokyo, with an unusually symmetrical shape that has made it a well-known icon of Japan and an essential element in Japanese art. Mount Fuji is also a popular trip spot for tourists coming from other parts of the world.

Reference/s:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/dec16/last-eruption-mount-fuji/

https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/fuji.html