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Japan raises volcanic alert for Mount Hakone

TOKYO — Japanese authorities raised the volcanic alert for Mount Hakone, a popular tourist spot south-west of Tokyo, this morning (May 6), anticipating a possible small eruption that could impact the nearby Owakudani hot-spring district and calling on people to stay away from potentially dangerous areas.

Owakudani valley, a popular tourist spot on Mt. Hakone, is seen in Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture. Photo: Reuters

Owakudani valley, a popular tourist spot on Mt. Hakone, is seen in Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture. Photo: Reuters

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TOKYO — Japanese authorities raised the volcanic alert for Mount Hakone, a popular tourist spot south-west of Tokyo, this morning (May 6), anticipating a possible small eruption that could impact the nearby Owakudani hot-spring district and calling on people to stay away from potentially dangerous areas.

The alert has been raised from 1, or “normal,” to 2, a level advising regulated entries to areas around the volcanic vent, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The number of volcanic earthquakes there yesterday reached 116, the most ever recorded in one day, the agency said.

The local town office issued an evacuation order for a 300m radius around Owakudani and closed the road leading to the area. It revised the evacuation area from the initially announced 700m.

The operator of Hakone Ropeway suspended a portion of its service running through Owakudani.

Caution is advised over ash deposits and rocks that could rain down on the area if an eruption occurs.

Seismic activity has been increasing since April 26 in the Mt Hakone region, a popular spot for tourists and hikers in Kanagawa prefecture, with tremors originating from areas around Owakudani.

Yesterday, three minor earthquakes were reported in Hakone-Yumoto, while active steam bursts were also observed at hot spring facilities in Owakudani, leading the authorities to believe volcanic activity is intensifying.

Meteorological agency officials have become more concerned after the last of the three tremors was focused deeper than the earlier ones, raising the possibility of a steam eruption.

A geological survey of Mt Hakone has suggested that there was an eruption in the 12th century near Owakudani, but there has been no record of subsequent eruptions in the area.

Volcanic activity in Hakone last increased notably in 2001, causing minor quakes and crustal deformation for about four months. KYODO NEWS

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