Japanese authorities have disseminated official guidelines outlining public response protocols in the event of a potential eruption of the renowned Mount Fuji volcano, situated in close proximity to Tokyo.
According to directives issued last week, subject matter experts advise residents to remain within their homes and sustain a two-week reserve of essential supplies as a preparatory measure.
Although there is no current indication suggesting an imminent eruption, Mount Fuji is classified as an active volcano. Its most recent eruption occurred 318 years ago during the historically notable Hoei eruption of 1707.
“In consideration of the possibility that an eruption of considerable magnitude—comparable to the Hoei eruption nearly 300 years ago—may result in widespread dispersal of volcanic ash across an extensive area, including the capital region, we have been deliberating on appropriate countermeasures,” stated Toshitsugu Fujii, a professor affiliated with the University of Tokyo, during a press briefing conducted on March 21.
An eruption of such significance is projected to generate approximately 1.7 billion cubic meters (equivalent to 60 billion cubic feet) of volcanic ash, according to government estimates. Of this total, nearly 490 million cubic meters is expected to accumulate on roadways, infrastructure, and other terrestrial surfaces, thereby necessitating removal and disposal efforts.
Government reports further caution that volcanic ash would enshroud the sky in darkness, plunging metropolitan areas into daytime obscurity due to the absence of natural light.
“To address the impacts of extensive ashfall, the primary recommendation is for individuals to sustain daily routines within residential dwellings or designated shelters. Thus, it is crucial to maintain regular reserves of fundamental provisions,” Fujii emphasized.
“Nevertheless, in scenarios where volcanic ash deposition exceeds 30 centimeters (12 inches), wooden structures with limited load-bearing capacity may face structural collapse, thereby necessitating evacuation,” he further cautioned.
Location of Mount Fuji Volcano