KAGOSHIMA
SAKURAJIMA
This active volcano often covers Kagoshima with ash
"Ash streamed up from the south peak of the almost-island Sakurajima and blew westward in a frothy cloud over the bay toward the city and volcanic beach and the train rails that wound north to the foot of the hill on which they stood. Caitlin leaned forward eyeing the volcano, that minacious presence." (PAGE 17)
| Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan and has been designated one of fifteen world "Decade" volcanoes. Located just three kilometers--a 15-minute ferry ride--across the bay from Kagoshima, the stratovolcano Sakurajima was an actual island until lava flows from the massive eruption of 1914 connected it to the Osumi Peninsula of eastern Kagoshima Prefecture. Sakurajima has been in constant eruption since the 8th century, and ultimately, with many more lava flows, Sakurajima could end up connected to Kagoshima City by land bridge. The volcano consists of three peaks; the southernmost, Minamidake, is currently active. Activity cycles vary, however; 1985, the year in which Ash takes place, was a particularly active year with more than 400 explosive eruptions, ash plumes that reached several kilometers high, and heavy lapilli- and ash-fall. About 7,000 people currently inhabit the "island" of Sakurajima. The hovering volcano with its jagged peaks and voluminous lava skirt is an awesome, humbling sight, and watching the ash plume roil and tumble upward is simply mesmerizing. |
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Sakurajima • Iso Gardens (Sengan'en) • Kirishima and Ebino-Kogen • Local pottery
For more photos and background info of Sakurajima see:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/north_asia/sakura.html
Some general info on Sakurajima:
http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/9705/volcanoes/sakurajima.html
