The Japanese government has released a video simulating the potential impact of a massive eruption by Mount Fuji spewing large amounts of ash.
The Cabinet Office uploaded the video online on Tuesday, as August 26 is designated Japan’s volcanic disaster preparedness day.
The video simulated an eruption on a scale equivalent to the last confirmed eruption of Mount Fuji in 1707. It assumed the volcanic ash fell most heavily on the greater Tokyo metropolitan area.
In the Sagamihara City area of Kanagawa Prefecture, about 60 kilometers from the volcano, 20 centimeters of sandy ash could pile up in about two days.
In Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, about 100 kilometers from the volcano, more than 5 centimeters of fine ash could accumulate, affecting the operations of railway services and other infrastructure.
The video shows that such an eruption could cause the destruction of buildings in some areas, and shortages of food, water and other necessities in others due to logistical disruptions.
The Cabinet Office says it hopes the video will help people imagine how a Mount Fuji eruption could affect their lives, and encourage them to take measures such as stocking up on basic necessities.
AloJapan.com