Sakurajima facts for kids
| Sakurajima | |
|---|---|
View of Sakurajima from mainland Kagoshima, 2009
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| Elevation | 1,117 m (3,665 ft) |
| Location | |
| Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan | |
| Coordinates | 31°34′50″N 130°39′29″E / 31.58056°N 130.65806°ECoordinates: 31°34′50″N 130°39′29″E / 31.58056°N 130.65806°E |
| Geology | |
| Type | Somma-stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1955 to 2019 (Ongoing) |
Sakurajima (Japanese: 桜島, literally "Cherry blossom Island") is an active composite volcano, formerly an island and now a peninsula, in Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan. The lava flows of the 1914 eruption connected it with the Ōsumi Peninsula. It is the most active volcano in Japan.
The volcanic activity still continues, dropping volcanic ash on the surroundings which continues as of March 2019. Earlier eruptions built the white sand highlands in the region. The most recent eruption started on May 2, 2017. On September 13, 2016 a team of experts from Bristol University and the Sakurajima Volcano Research Centre in Japan suggested that the volcano could have a major eruption within 30 years.
Sakurajima is a stratovolcano. Its summit has three peaks, Kita-dake (northern peak), Naka-dake (central peak) and Minami-dake (southern peak) which is active now.
Kita-dake is Sakurajima's highest peak, rising to 1,117 m (3,665 ft) above sea level. The mountain is in a part of Kagoshima Bay known as Kinkō-wan. The former island is part of the city of Kagoshima. The surface of this volcanic peninsula is about 77 km2 (30 sq mi).
Contents
History
The eruptions of this mountain have been recorded many times in history. Great Taisho(大正) eruption in 1914 connected this island to 大隅 peninsula. 58 people were killed and 112 people were injured. These days, we can see a lot of eruptions.
| Year | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times | 80 | 755 | 1026 | 1355 | 1007 | 1197 |
Living
The information about which way the wind blows is important to know if ash is falling or not. So, Kagoshima weather forecast report it. People in Sakurajima take a drill to escape from the island. Japan Meteorological Agency watches this mountain all days. We can see the latest picture from these cameras at JMA's website.
Links
Images for kids
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A map of Sakurajima in 1902, showing it as a distinct island.
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An image taken from the International Space Station showing Sakurajima and its surroundings on 10 January 2013.
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Sakura-jima eruption as seen on August 18, 2013
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1914 eruption
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Sakurajima eruption in 1974
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Space radar image of Sakurajima in 1994
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2004
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2009
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2010
