Sakurajima, Kyushu, Japan
31.6 N, 130.7 E
Sakurajima is an active volcano on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. It erupts 100-200 times a year on average, but in 2016, it erupted 500 times. Sakurajima is a stratovolcano which, before 1914, was an island. A stratovolcano is built up by falling ash. In the eruption of 1914, the strongest ever recorded in Japan, so much ash and lava fell that Sakurajima became connected to the rest of Kyushu.
Sakurajima’s eruptions are vulcanian, meaning they are comprised of mostly ash and gases. The lava type of this volcano is known as Pahoehoe or Andesitic, meaning it cools and hardens in smooth paths.
Sakurajima’s eruptions are vulcanian, meaning they are comprised of mostly ash and gases. The lava type of this volcano is known as Pahoehoe or Andesitic, meaning it cools and hardens in smooth paths.
Volcanic Ash on Kagoshima
Due to Sakurajima’s vulcanian eruptions, volcanic ash regularly blankets the nearby city of Kagoshima and smaller towns in the area. The citizens on the island of Sakurajima are accustomed to a regular sprinkling of ash on their land. The ABC interviewed a mandarin farmer on the island who shook ash off of his crops every morning. Since the ash is not safe to eat, it can damage crops and farmland, thus hurting the income of farmers. Volcanic ash, if used correctly, can also make soil very fertile.
Ash from Sakurajima also creates a huge problem for the architecture in the surrounding cities and towns. It can block gutters, making water unable to leave the house, and can also clog air conditioners. Buildings are sometimes covered in plastic sheets to protect from corrosion of metal roofs. Despite the damage volcanic ash can bring, the economy is positively impacted by the scenery that Sakurajima boasts.
Ash from Sakurajima also creates a huge problem for the architecture in the surrounding cities and towns. It can block gutters, making water unable to leave the house, and can also clog air conditioners. Buildings are sometimes covered in plastic sheets to protect from corrosion of metal roofs. Despite the damage volcanic ash can bring, the economy is positively impacted by the scenery that Sakurajima boasts.
The Scenery of Sakurajima
Atago Shrine
Kagutsuchi is the Shinto kami of fire. In Shinto mythology, he cut himself into eight pieces and those became the eight major volcanoes in Japan. The most prominent place that Kagutsuchi is worshipped is at the Atago Shrine near Tokyo, Japan.