浅間山 (Mount Asama) is a 火山 (volcano) between 群馬県 (Gunma Prefecture) and 長野県 (Nagano Prefecture).
It’s about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northwest of Tokyo.
Yesterday, the 気象庁 (Japan Meteorological Agency) issued a level 3 warning* that 浅間山 (Mount Asama) could erupt within 48 hours. About 45,000 residents near the volcano were told they may need to evacuate.
* (There are five volcano warnings. Level 1 is normal / safe. Level 2 is stay away from crater. Level 3 is non-residents should stay away from the volcano. Level 4 is nearby residents need to prepare to evacuate. Level 5 is evacuation / major eruption imminent.)
Japan has many 火山 (volcanoes)…the most famous is the symbol of Japan, 富士山 (Mt. Fuji)…but most are dormant.
浅間山 (Mount Asama) is one of Japan’s most active 火山 (volcanoes).
The 気象庁 (Japan Meteorological Agency) was correct.
浅間山 (Mount Asama) had a minor eruption this morning (Monday, February 2, 2009) just before 2:00AM (JST).
No one was injured and there was no reported property damage.
The last time 浅間山 (Mount Asama) erupted was on September 1, 2004. That eruption was also fairly minor…although ash from that eruption went 200 kilometers from the volcano.
It’s biggest eruption was about 220 years ago. There were 1500 casualties and alot of property damage in that eruption.
Tokyo Five 
Wow! That was so interesting to read about. and the photo is unbelievable too. have you ever visited the area upclose? I think I would rather not get too close but it is really awesome!
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>have you ever visited the area upclose?
No. I have never been to this volcano.
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MB….
>is it expected to erupt again anytime soon?
I don’t know how soon…but it will surely erupt again one day. It’s not dormant.
>Kindergartners who is going to research Mount Asama
Kindergartners do “research”??
>Maybe I’ll take a picture of it…and send it to you.
Yeah, I’d like to see it! (And I’m still waiting for your Obama inauguration pics.)
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Big Bro,
Wow, is it expected to erupt again anytime soon? I guess they tend to happen in strings of eruptions. This info will be great for one of my Kindergarteners who is going to research Mount Asama and depict it in a diorama! Maybe I’ll take a picture of it when it is done…along with the ones the other students make and send it to you.
Thanks!
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madsilence…
Do you live near 白山(Mount Hakusan)?
Do you live in Gifu?
Yes, 白山 (Mt. Hakusan) has been dormant for centuries.
And I suppose that mountain must be snowy, as you said…it’s name translates to “White Mountain”.
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Jeffrey…
Thank you for the kind words.
Please comment on my site anytime.
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Oooh interesting! I didn’t understand the different warning levels. I’m glad that I don’t live near any active volcanos, Hakusan’s too sleepy and snowy to erupt ^^
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Nice write up. Enjoyed reading this post a lot.
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Eric…
Compared to Canada, Japan is small. But, I know what you mean…most people in the America and Canada imagine Japan to be much smaller than it is.
Tokyo, for example, is the world’s largest metropolis.
English people, I imagine, don’t think Japan’s small…Japan is bigger than England.
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Sir Pent…
I’m sure the U.S. military would’ve told the Americans on the base if there was a danger.
If it got to be a “Level 4” or “Level 5”.
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I’m just waiting for the inevitable e-mail from Canada asking if I can see the volcano from my house. They all think it’s so tiny over here.
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The people that RUN the base most likely knew about it…just not that people that work AT the base.
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Brenda…
Really? The U.S. bases didn’t tell the American military about the level 3 volcano warning?
Was there volcanic ash in Western Tokyo? There was none in metropolitan (Eastern) Tokyo)…I guess that’s because you’re closer to Gunma Prefecture out there.
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I was so amazed by this! We’d heard nothing of the warning, but this morning my kids burst into my bedroom shouting “School’s cancelled, a volcano erupted!!!” Of course I was sure they were joking! But to my surprise, they weren’t joking at all! We had so much ash fall that school on the base was cancelled for the day! All our cars were covered in ash!
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