Fuji Volcano Japan

Fuji is the name of the most famous volcano in Japan. At the same time he is with its 3776 m altitude is the highest mountain in the country. Its symmetrical cone and the proximity to the capital Tokyo make him world-famous. In addition, the Fuji is a spiritual center of Shinto and firmly rooted in Japanese mythology.

In human dimension, the last eruption of the volcano was long ago: the last eruption took place in 1707 instead secured. Geologically measures this period only half a blink and a new outbreak is possible in the medium term. The name of the volcano is not without controversy. In the Western world it is often referred to incorrectly as Fuji-yama, which is probably attributable to a misinterpretation of Japanese characters. Varied are the interpretations of the meaning of the name. Most likely means "fire mountain".

The volcanic activity in Japan is related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Plate under the Eurasian continent. The Fuji formed the so-called triple point of all 3 plates.

The Fuji-san is not a young man in the volcano business. 4 phases of volcanic activity could track volcanologists at this point. From the first phase of activity only one andesite Härtling is obtained. From the 2nd phase reflects a basalt layer. Years ago, over 100,000 the formation of a precursor volcano began. The current building of the volcano Fuji-san has been growing for about 10,000 years. This evolution is somewhat reminiscent of Mount Etna in Sicily.