What happened during the Mount Ontake eruption in Japan?

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In summary, while over two hundred people were on the summit of Mount Ontake in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, the volcano erupted abruptly, causing injuries and fatalities. A hiker captured video of a group being pelted by rocks and ash during the eruption. The eruption was likely a phreatic eruption, which is difficult to predict. There have been questions about the effectiveness of warning systems for volcanic activity. Rescuers have retrieved 47 bodies and 16 people are still missing. Doctors have determined that most of the victims were killed by volcanic rocks. There is a need to detect magma chambers close to the surface to better predict volcanic eruptions. CCTV footage shows the eruption happening quickly. Images taken from victims' cameras show the
  • #1
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Mount Ontake in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, erupted abruptly while over two hundred people were on the summit.

A hiker captures video of group overtaken by ash during Mt. Ontake volcano eruption. They were apparently pelted by rocks/pebbles.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...p-overtaken-by-ash-during-mt-ontake-eruption/

http://news.yahoo.com/volcano-erupts-japan-injuries-reported-053344700.html [Broken]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29399306http://www.volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=283040
No current activity report, but perhaps on Monday they will have some information.
 
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  • #3
I'm sorry that this message is pretentious.
And I ask you to forgive my mistakes in English.Dear colleagues.

Today has been human victims by the eruption of of a volcano.
I tell you that there is a method of short-term earthquake prediction.
This method can predict and the eruption of the volcano.
I showed more than ten predictions to the expert.
I enclose the letter of expert who recommends to continue working in this direction.

I invite all who are engaged in methods of predicting earthquakes то unite their knowledge to create a global system of seismic safety.
I appeal to the leaders with a request: "Remember that you must defend the people's lives."

I tell that my technique has been successfully tested on real predictions of earthquakes.
I suggest to use complex of methods, together with my technique in order that protect people's lives in seismic catastrophes.

Regards
Alexandr Yagodin

https://sites.google.com/site/earthquakepredict/expertreport2012

https://sites.google.com/site/earthquakepredict/metod-kay-wave-e

https://sites.google.com/site/earthquakepredict/dd1Уважаемые коллеги.

Сегодня погибли люди из-за извержения вулкана.
Я сообщаю вам, что существует метод кратковременного предсказания землетрясений.
Этот метод может предсказывать и время извержения вулкана.
Я продемонстрировал это эксперту более, чем на десяти предсказаниях.
Я прикладываю письмо эксперта, который рекомендует продолжить работу в этом направлении.

Я предлагаю всем, кто занимается методами предсказания землетрясений объединить свои знания в создании глобальной системы сейсмической безопасности.
Я обращаюсь к ведущим руководителям с просьбой: "Помните, что вы должны защитить жизнь людей".

Я сообщаю, что моя методика успешно прошла испытания на реальных предсказаниях землетрясений.
Я предлагаю применить комплекс методов совместно с моей методикой для того, что защитить жизнь людей в сейсмических катастрофах.
 
  • #4
Japan's Mt. Ontake Is Still Erupting As Questions Emerge About Warnings
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way...ntake-is-still-erupting-warnings-are-reviewed
Apparently there were indications of increased seismic activity at the mountain.

"Officials at the Japan Meteorological Agency say they sent messages to communities surrounding Mt. Ontake on the 11th of this month, warning them about a recent increase in volcanic earthquakes."
 
  • #5
Why Deadly Japan Volcano Erupted Without Warning
https://news.yahoo.com/why-deadly-japan-volcano-erupted-without-warning-205218353.html
Japan has a similar high-tech network for watching its volcanoes. But Saturday's killer outburst was likely a phreatic eruption, a shallow steam explosion that is nearly impossible to predict, experts told Live Science.
. . . .
A phreatic eruption is just water and heat. Think of the inside of a volcano as a solid rock "oven" heated by magma. Earthquakes and shifting magma often jiggle and crack the rock. When a new crack opens in the oven, a blast of heat escapes, similar to opening a kitchen oven's door. If groundwater leaks into the crack, the water immediately flashes into steam from the intense heat. This violent transformation pulverizes the surrounding volcanic rock.
. . .

Phreatic eruptions
https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/Earth's...cklibrary/viewglossrecord.php?gID=00000000380
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/images/pglossary/HydroVolcEruption.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruption
 
  • #6
Japan police: Volcanic rocks killed most victims
https://news.yahoo.com/japan-police-volcanic-rocks-killed-most-victims-121744423.html [Broken]

Rescuers have retrieved 47 bodies from the ash-covered summit area of Mount Ontake since Saturday's eruption. Authorities announced Friday that another 16 people are still missing. Search efforts were suspended because of rain.

Doctors concluded that all but one of the bodies showed signs of having been hit by volcanic boulders and rocks, . . . .
. . . .
Experts say hikers near the summit might have been hit by rocks flying as fast as 300 kilometers (190 miles) per hour. Most of the ash fell in the first hour of the explosion, according to the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute.
. . . .
There would seem to be some need to detect magma chambers close to the surface, where the hot magma can contact ground water.

AFP obtained a CCTV video of the eruption. It seems to run fast, but it happened so quickly in a matter of seconds.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/video/cctv-footage-shows-japan-volcano-133819109.html

Images taken from cameras of victims on Ontake
http://news.yahoo.com/japan-volcano-victims-leave-photos-last-moments-053541862.html [Broken]
 
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Likes Greg Bernhardt
  • #7
I remember seeing some video of hikers. How helpless the feeling would be.
 

1. What caused the eruption of Mount Ontake, Japan?

The exact cause of the eruption of Mount Ontake, Japan is still unknown. However, it is believed to be triggered by a combination of factors such as accumulated pressure in the magma chamber, tectonic activities, and geothermal heat.

2. How often does Mount Ontake, Japan erupt?

Mount Ontake, Japan is an active volcano and has a history of frequent eruptions. However, the frequency of eruptions varies and can range from several years to several decades.

3. What is the danger level for nearby residents and tourists after the eruption of Mount Ontake, Japan?

The danger level for nearby residents and tourists depends on the intensity and duration of the eruption. In the case of Mount Ontake, Japan, the eruption was sudden and unexpected, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. It is always advised to follow evacuation orders and stay away from the affected area during and after volcanic eruptions.

4. How does the eruption of Mount Ontake, Japan affect the environment?

The eruption of Mount Ontake, Japan can have both positive and negative effects on the environment. On one hand, it can release nutrients and minerals into the soil, benefitting plant growth. On the other hand, it can also cause air pollution, damage to vegetation, and disruption of habitats for animals and insects.

5. Can volcanic eruptions like Mount Ontake, Japan be predicted?

Despite advancements in technology, accurately predicting volcanic eruptions is still challenging. Scientists use various monitoring techniques such as seismic activity, gas emissions, and ground deformation to forecast volcanic eruptions. However, these methods are not foolproof, and eruptions can still occur without warning.

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