The Last Eruption Was in 1707
Economic Damage Estimated at 23 Trillion Won
The Japanese government has released a simulation video depicting a hypothetical eruption of Mount Fuji to mark "Volcano Disaster Prevention Day," emphasizing the importance of advance preparedness.
According to Kyodo News, the Japanese Cabinet Office estimated the potential scale of damage in a video of approximately 10 minutes, based on the magnitude of the eruption that occurred in 1707.
According to the video, in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, located about 60 kilometers from Mount Fuji, volcanic ash is projected to accumulate to a depth of around 20 centimeters two days after the eruption. In Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, which is about 100 kilometers away, the ash is expected to exceed 5 centimeters in depth two days after the eruption. The video also shows that if more than 30 centimeters of ash accumulates on the roofs of wooden houses, the weight poses a risk of collapse, illustrating the potential for structural failure. Additionally, it explains that if more than 3 centimeters of ash accumulates and it rains, driving becomes difficult for vehicles.
Earth scientist Toshitsugu Fujii, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, warned in the video, "Historically, Mount Fuji has erupted on average once every 30 years, but there has been no eruption for over 300 years. It would not be surprising if the next eruption occurs at any time."
Mount Fuji, which stands at 3,776 meters above sea level, is the tallest mountain in Japan and is considered a national symbol. Over the past 5,600 years, Mount Fuji has erupted approximately 180 times, with 96 percent of these eruptions being relatively minor in scale. The last confirmed eruption occurred in 1707, and research has shown that the economic damage at that time reached about 2.5 trillion yen (approximately 23 trillion won).
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