By: Alex
Earlier, northern Honshu in Japan was hit by a record-breaking blizzard. Meanwhile, Mount Fuji, which straddles Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, shows not even a trace of snow on its peak. Some residents nearby are worried that the volcano, which has been dormant for 300 years, might be about to erupt again.
This... today's Mount Fuji... December's Mount Fuji...? Why is there no snow!? That's strange... pic.twitter.com/m8pME0suNm
— (@unananan) December 20, 2020
▲“Today’s Mount Fuji... Mount Fuji in December...? Why is there no snow!? That’s strange...”
A netizen posted on December 20, expressing concern that something seemed off with Mount Fuji: “There’s no snow on Mount Fuji in December?” Soon, others commented that this could be a sign that the mountain is warming up, suggesting the volcano might be close to erupting. In fact, the last time Mount Fuji erupted was in 1707—many people may have forgotten it is still an active volcano capable of destroying the surrounding areas in seconds.
Today’s Mount Fuji? This winter started off warm, but still, there’s no snow on Mount Fuji.I’ve been watching it, but it’s not Mount Fuji in winter.Just like Mount Fuji in summer.And then today’s earthquake on the new island.Is there a cause-and-effect relationship... volcanic eruptions are scary too? #MountFuji #NoSnow #Earthquake #Eruption pic.twitter.com/i62nQqxKcD
— Beriko55 (@beriberiko55) December 18, 2020
▲“This doesn’t look like winter Mount Fuji—it looks like summer Mount Fuji. Is it related to today’s earthquake on Nii-jima? A volcanic eruption would be scary.”
As early as the end of September, Mount Fuji was hit by cold air and a thin layer of snow appeared on its summit (related report). By the 16th of this month, someone captured images of a vertical snow stripe on one side of the mountain and claimed it was the first time they had seen such a sight—various signs seem to suggest that this year’s Mount Fuji is a bit unusual.
Seriously, the way the snow is falling on Mount Fuji is kind of strange? I've never seen anything like it. pic.twitter.com/oFdBBjJGB2
— ?SMAP (@chokkimu) December 16, 2020
▲“The way snow is falling on Mount Fuji is really strange. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The online discussion later shifted to wind-related factors, as some pointed out that on Monday, December 21, temperatures near the summit of Mount Fuji had dropped to -20°C with strong winds, and even nearby Fujinomiya saw temperatures fall to 0°C with gusty conditions.
A panoramic view of Mount Fuji on the morning of December 21 (Monday).
— Takumi (@ihakita) December 20, 2020
The mountaintop area is around minus 20 degrees.
The wind is strong even at the foot of the mountain, so it must be even more intense at the summit.
There isn’t a single cloud, and the weather is nice.
In Fuji City, the temperature was 0 degrees.
Seriously, there's no snow... pic.twitter.com/D52vJ6TM2Z
▲“Panoramic view of Mount Fuji on the morning of Monday, December 21. The weather is clear, and there’s no snow on the summit.”
Since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, experts have noted increased volcanic activity at Mount Fuji, but it currently remains at safe levels. In fact, a netizen living near Lake Kawaguchi took a photo of Mount Fuji from their home in the morning and could still see a small amount of snow on the peak. It is believed that the lack of snow on the summit is due to environmental conditions not being suitable for snow formation, rather than a dangerous signal. Many are anxious about the possibility of an eruption because the ash cloud could reach as far as Tokyo or even Chiba Prefecture, more than 100 km away, causing widespread and severe impacts.
Mount Fuji from my home at Kawaguchiko on the morning of December 23.This morning, the wine-colored scenery unique to Yamanashi.#fujisan #mtfuji #MountFuji pic.twitter.com/EcjP0kwL1A
— Hosoyamatakeshi (@take515shi) December 22, 2020
▲“Mount Fuji viewed from my home in Lake Kawaguchi on the morning of December 23. The sky is showing the wine-colored tint unique to Yamanashi.”
The view from the summit of Ishiwari Mountain.#MountFuji#Ishiwariyama#mtfuji pic.twitter.com/d3AebEoOOs
— kiibou (@kiibou4) December 23, 2020
▲“View of Mount Fuji from the summit of Ishiwariyama near Lake Yamanaka.”
Source: SoraNews24