Mt. Fuji May Be Close To Erupting 269
SpuriousLogic points out an article at Wired discussing research into pressure levels inside Mt. Fuji's magma chamber, which scientists claim is higher than it was in 1707, the last time it erupted. "The new readings, taken by the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, reveal that the pressure is at 1.6 megapascals, nearly 16 times the 0.1 megapascals it takes to trigger an eruption." A series of earthquakes shook the area around Mt. Fuji a little over a decade ago, and a fault line was discovered underneath it. "Since the March 2011 tsunami and the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that followed four days later, Japan has been on tenterhooks, and in May 2012 a professor from Ryukyu University warned that a massive eruption within three years would be likely because of several major factors: steam and gases are being emitted from the crater, water eruptions are occurring nearby, massive holes emitting hot natural gases are appearing in the vicinity." While the rising pressure within the magma chamber is of concern, it is but one factor among many that lead to eruptions.
Re:In Olde English units (Score:5, Informative)
Pressure vessels get increasingly difficult to build as their size grows.
When a 150 PSI compressor tank goes (and they do, even though they are made out of steel, a lot thicker than a soda pop can) they take away the room with them.
This pressure vessel is probably miles on a side, and the walls don't have good tensile strength - it's just gravity that's holding it down.
In short converting it to Olde English units doesn't help.
Re:"Nearly"? (Score:3, Informative)
In their defence, both 1.6 and 0.1 are likely numbers that are rounded from some more precise measurements. The term "nearly" probably applied to the original measurements as opposed to the nicely rounded numbers presented in TFA. Just sayin'...
Re:Another thing to worry about... (Score:4, Informative)
I am going to Japan in October, so in addition to earthquakes, tsunamis, radiation, ninjas, and godzilla, I now also have to worry about lava??? Damn...
Don't forget vorpal bunnies [youtube.com]
Well, that was a waste of time. No vorpalness, no attacks, no fights, nothing at all but a bunch of rabbits scurrying after pellets.
Horrible News for the Locals (Score:2, Informative)
I climbed Mt. Fuji about 4 years ago and all I can think about is whats going to happen to all the people who make a living off the mountain? When you get to the top there is actually a small village on top with shops and homemade food for the people who make it, even at the bottom theres tons of base areas for people to stock up on supplies before the trek. Even along the way there are rest stops and marker points with people to provide services if needed and to sell food. Its a shame to think that all the people located anywhere near that area could possibly lose their entire way of life.
Re:Better rescue the coke machine (Score:5, Informative)
Source: I'm a market researcher specializing in food/beverage packaging in the US.
Re:Very helpful, actually (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Evacuation test run next year ??? (Score:5, Informative)
Its not like everyone can simply form an orderly line and proceed calmly to the nearest exit
Apparently you've never been to Japan.
See some of the pictures from the last earthquake and tsunami; people evacuating the subway stations are stopped and standing to one side in a neat line on the halted escalator to let emergency workers go down past.
In related news... (Score:0, Informative)
...my COCK also is about to erupt....IN YOUR MOM!!!