Super Typhoon 'Sansan' Swallows Entire Japanese Archipelago... Seen in Satellite Images

Colorado State University Research Institute Releases Satellite Images

Satellite images capturing Typhoon "San-san," the 10th typhoon to make landfall on the Japanese archipelago, have been released. The massive vortex formed around the eye of the typhoon casts a shadow over the entire archipelago.

On the 29th (local time), the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University in the U.S. posted satellite footage of San-san on its official website. The footage clearly shows the center, known as the "eye of the typhoon," and the surrounding swirling clouds.

Moving Typhoon Sansan [Image source=CIRA homepage capture]

San-san made landfall near Kyushu, Japan, and is slowly moving northward. CIRA explained that although the typhoon weakened slightly after making landfall, it remains at a threatening level.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, as of 8 p.m. on the day of landfall near Kyushu, San-san's central pressure was recorded at 985 hPa (hectopascals), with maximum wind speeds of 30 meters per second and maximum instantaneous wind speeds of 45 meters per second.

Meanwhile, the typhoon's slow movement is expected to increase the extent of damage. Japan's Nittere News compared San-san's movement speed to a "jogging pace." Typically, slow-moving typhoons are considered more dangerous disasters because they affect the ground for a longer time during their passage.

The clear eye of the typhoon visible in Sansan [Image source: Screenshot from CIRA website]

Rain is falling in Kyushu and other areas within the typhoon's influence. In particular, Miyazaki Prefecture in southeastern Kyushu recorded 884 mm of rain over 72 hours until 8 a.m. on the 30th, which is about 1.5 times the average rainfall for the entire month.

NHK reported that, according to its own tally, 4 people have died, 96 have been injured, and 1 is missing so far. Meanwhile, most operations of the Shinkansen high-speed trains running through Kyushu have been suspended, and major airlines such as Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and others have canceled over 600 flights. Leading Japanese manufacturers like Toyota and Sony have also halted factory operations to minimize typhoon damage.