Japan's Fujisan

Photo by jpellgen

Located on the circum-Pacific ring of volcanic fire, Japan has a great deal of volcanic and seismic activity. The most famous Japanese volcano is of course Mount Fujiyama. The Japanese soubriquet Fujisan may be roughly translated as the honourable Mt. Fuji. Since 1609, part of the mountain has been owned by a Shinto shrine. The peak has two volcanoes, Older and Younger. The most recent and violent eruption, in 1707, involved Younger Fuji.

According to John Seach, this stratovolcano could erupt with sudden violence any time. Beneath the tallest mountain of Japan lies the intersection of three tectonic plates: the Phillipine, the Eurasian and the North American.

In March 2011, days after the devastating 8.9 Sendai quake, a 6.2 quake shook Fuji's flank. Lying only 70 miles from Tokyo, with its 30 million people, Mt. Fuji is constantly monitored.