Home | The Gifts of Mt.Fuji and Coexistence with a Volcano
The Gifts of Mt.Fuji and Coexistence with a Volcano
What would our lives be like without
Mt. Fuji? Without Mt. Fuji, this area would certainly have
been full of steep mountains and valleys. As Mt. Fuji formed
and continued to erupt, valleys were slowly filled in by mud
and lava, and the surrounding terrain was leveled. Mt. Fuji
also gives us gifts of clear, clean water and mineral rich
soil thanks to volcanic ash deposits.
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A
3D map of Mt. Fuji’s Southern side as seen from
the air. We can see Mt. Fuji growing outwards. |
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This is what the
Mt. Fuji area might look like if Mt. Fuji did not exist. Instead
of fields and plains, steep mountains and valleys cover
the area. |
This map, produced by Professor Masato
Koyama, was made using “Cashmere” 3D
software.
About Coexistence with Mt. Fuji.
Fujiyoshida City and Nishikatsura
Town:
What was once the steep
and narrow Katsura River valley was slowly filled in by lava
and mudflows, and became the wide valley that it is today.
Yamanakako
Village:
Lake Yamanakako
was born when lava and mudflows cut off the supply of
water to the Katsura River.
Oshino Village:
The Oshino
area developed when a large lake resulting from lava and
mudflows dried and left only fields. Ground water beneath
this area gushes to the surface and forms the Oshino Hakkai
(8 Springs of Oshino).
Fuji Kawaguchiko Town:
A lava flow
from the Jogan Eruption in 864 cut through Senoumi Lake
and divided it into the current Lake Shojiko and Lake
Saiko. The same lava flow currently provides a fertile
bed for the Aokigahara Forest.
Narusawa Village:
Weathered
volcanic ash creates rich soil that fertilizes local crops,
such as high plains cabbage.
Minobu Town:
Magnificent
landscapes in this area, including lake Motosuko, formed
thanks to lava flows.
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