新燃岳しんもえだけ 噴煙ふんえん5000mの噴火ふんかから1週間しゅうかん 溶岩ようがん流りゅう伴ともなう噴火ふんかの想定そうていも

It has been one week out of ten days since the eruption at Shinmoedake in the Kirishima mountain range, where active volcanic activity continues and the plume rose up to 5,000 meters.

Recent studies have also suggested that the influence of underground magma may be increasing, and the meteorological agency is continuing to urge caution.

At Shinmoedake in the Kirishima mountain range, an eruption occurred on June 22nd for the first time since June 2018, and intermittent eruptions have continued through the 10th.

During this volcanic activity, in the afternoon of July 3rd, a week ago, the volcanic plume rose up to 5,000 meters above the crater.

The amount of sulfur dioxide released in volcanic gas also increased rapidly to 4,000 tons per day on June 23, and even in the observation on the 7th, three days earlier, it was somewhat high at 900 tons.

In addition, satellite observations have detected slight changes indicating expansion deep underground, leading the meteorological agency to conclude that volcanic activity remains active.

Furthermore, an analysis of the volcanic ash from the July 2 eruption by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology revealed that the amount of material derived from new magma has increased compared to the start of the eruption. The Meteorological Agency suggests that the influence of underground magma may be stronger than before.

The meteorological agency has stated that if the eruption transitions to a full-scale magmatic eruption, it is expected to be accompanied by heavy ash fall and lava flows. Therefore, they are maintaining the Level 3 eruption alert for the area around the crater, and are urging people to be cautious of large volcanic rocks within approximately 3 kilometers of the crater, and of pyroclastic flows within about 2 kilometers.

They are also warning that the air shock—vibrations in the air caused by an explosive eruption—could break window glass.

Experts Point Out Possibility of Magma Eruption At Shinmoedake, active volcanic activity continues, with the eruption on July 3rd sending plumes as high as 5,000 meters above the crater at its peak.

Also, an analysis of the volcanic ash by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology revealed that, in July, the amount of material derived from new magma has increased.

Professor Takao Ominato of the Earthquake Research Institute at the University of Tokyo, who is knowledgeable about the volcanic activity of Shinmoedake, analyzes that this indicates magma is approaching a shallower location.

Because volcanic gases are continuously escaping from the magma, it blows away old rocks and other materials, resulting in a large amount of volcanic ash falling.

Regarding the outlook, Professor Ominato says that, based on the current crustal movement data, it is believed that there is no supply of magma from deep underground to shallower areas at this time. However, if activity resumes in the future, there is a possibility that a magmatic eruption, in which magma erupts directly, could occur.

In that case, it is pointed out that lava may emerge from the crater and that explosive eruptions could occur, sending large volcanic rocks several kilometers around.

Professor Ominato is urging caution, saying, If an eruption that releases volcanic ash slowly drags on, peoples sense of alertness may weaken, but as long as magma continues to accumulate deep underground, we need to remain vigilant, as eruptions on the scale of those in 2011 or 2018 could happen at any time.