Expert Warns Mount Fuji Volcano Is "Ready" to Erupt
Listen to the story
Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest and most famous mountain, is an active volcano, meaning it could erupt again in the future.
A retired professor from Kyoto University has said that Fuji is already in a "standby state," suggesting the volcano could erupt at any moment.
According to the professor, there is also a possibility that an eruption could happen together with a major earthquake along the Nankai Trough, a region under the sea south of Japan known for producing powerful earthquakes.
Experts warn that Fuji could erupt within just a few hours after the first warning signs appear, so people are advised to pay close attention to any official information.
If a large eruption were to occur, it could seriously affect the greater Tokyo area and other parts of the Kanto region, which lie relatively close to the mountain.
In response to these risks, authorities are working on building special shelter facilities where people could take refuge during an eruption.
August 26 has been designated Volcano Disaster Prevention Day in Japan, a day meant to raise public awareness about volcanic dangers and how to prepare for them.
Vocabulary6 words
- active volcano
- a volcano that could still erupt in the future
- standby
- ready to act or happen very soon
- earthquake
- a sudden strong shaking of the ground
- Nankai Trough
- an area under the sea near Japan where strong earthquakes often happen
- shelter
- a safe place people can go to during a disaster
- Kanto region
- the area of Japan that includes Tokyo
Quiz
Answer key
1. It is already in a standby state and could erupt soon 2. A possible link to a Nankai Trough earthquake 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest and most famous mountain, is an _____ volcano, meaning it could erupt again in the future.
A retired professor from Kyoto University has said that Fuji is already in a "_____ state," suggesting the volcano could erupt at any moment.
According to the professor, there is also a possibility that an eruption could happen together with a major _____ along the Nankai Trough, a region under the sea south of Japan known for producing powerful earthquakes.
Experts warn that Fuji could erupt within just a few hours after the first warning _____ appear, so people are advised to pay close attention to any official information.
If a large eruption were to occur, it could seriously affect the greater _____ area and other parts of the Kanto region, which lie relatively close to the mountain.
In response to these risks, authorities are working on building special _____ facilities where people could take refuge during an eruption.
August 26 has been designated Volcano Disaster Prevention Day in _____, a day meant to raise public awareness about volcanic dangers and how to prepare for them.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think experts are warning about Mount Fuji now?
- How would a Fuji eruption affect people living far away, such as in Tokyo?
- Do you think it's a good idea to build shelters for volcanic disasters? Why or why not?
- What kind of information would you want to receive if a volcano near you might erupt?