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Mount Fuji

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Mount Fuji is a famous active stratovolcano on Japan's main island, Honshu.

Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji from Lake Saiko. June 2023
Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji from Lake Saiko. June 2023

It is the highest mountain in Japan. It also holds the title of the second-highest volcano on any Asian island. Only Mount Kerinci on Sumatra is taller. On a global scale, it is the seventh-highest peak on any island on Earth. The mountain is located southwest of Tokyo. On clear days, people in the city can see its peak. It sits near the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

The volcano has a very symmetrical cone shape. Snow covers the summit for about five months each year. The summit has a tundra climate. This means temperatures stay very low at high altitudes. The mountain is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is surrounded by five lakes. These are Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Sai, Lake Motosu, and Lake Shōji. Four small cities sit near its base. These are Gotemba, Fujiyoshida, Fujinomiya, and Fuji.

Mt Fuji NASA ISS002-E-6971 large
Mt Fuji NASA ISS002-E-6971 large

Geologically, Mount Fuji sits at a triple junction. This is a place where three tectonic plates meet. These plates are the Eurasian Plate, the North American Plate, and the Philippine Sea Plate. The Pacific Plate is subducting, or sliding, beneath these three plates. This movement causes volcanic activity in the region. The mountain's main crater is quite large. It has a specific diameter and depth. The slopes near the crater are quite steep. They sit at an angle of 31 to 35 degrees. This is the angle of repose for dry gravel.

Geologycal cross-section of Fuji
Geologycal cross-section of Fuji

Scientists have identified four distinct stages of volcanic growth. The first stage was Sen-komitake. This created an andesite core deep inside the mountain. Next came Komitake Fuji, which formed a basalt layer. This happened several hundred thousand years ago. The third stage was the formation of "Old Fuji." This occurred about 100,000 years ago. Finally, the "New Fuji" formed about 10,000 years ago. This modern version is the main body we see today.

Geologycal cross-section of Fuji
Geologycal cross-section of Fuji

The last major eruption was the Hōei eruption. This lasted from December 16, 1707, to January 1, 1708. This eruption created a new crater. It also formed a second peak called Mount Hōei. This new peak sits halfway down the southeastern side.

Hasshinpo of Mt.Fuji 40
Hasshinpo of Mt.Fuji 40

The eruption sent cinders and ash through the air. Today, the volcano is classified as active. However, it is considered to have a low risk of eruption. The last recorded eruption was quite a long time ago.

Mount Fuji is a major cultural icon for Japan. It has been a subject for art since after 1600. This was when Edo became the capital. People saw the mountain while traveling on the Tōkaidō road.

The summit was considered sacred in ancient times. Because of this, women were once forbidden from climbing it. An edict in 1872 ended this practice. Tatsu Takayama was the first woman recorded to summit in 1832. Sir Rutherford Alcock was the first foreigner to summit in 1860.

Mt Fuji Summit
Mt Fuji Summit

In 2013, UNESCO added Mount Fuji to the World Heritage List. It is listed as a Cultural Site. UNESCO says the mountain has inspired many poets and artists. It has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. There are 25 sites of cultural interest in the area. One important site is the Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha shrine.

Outer shrine of Fujisan Hongu SengenTaisha (富士山本宮浅間大社) - panoramio
Outer shrine of Fujisan Hongu SengenTaisha (富士山本宮浅間大社) - panoramio

Today, it is a popular destination for hikers and tourists. It remains a powerful symbol in Japanese movies and even logos.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji from Lake Saiko. June 2023.jpg
Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji from Lake...
File:Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji with Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba in the foreground. June 2023.jpg
Aerial panorama of Mount Fuji with Saiko...
File:「富嶽三十六景 凱風快晴」-South Wind, Clear Sky (Gaifū kaisei), also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) MET DP141062.jpg
「富嶽三十六景 凱風快晴」-South Wind, Clear Sky...
File:Mount Fuji from Omiya by Kusakabe Kimbei c1890.png
Mount Fuji from Omiya by Kusakabe Kimbei c1890.png
Fujisan-video-views-airplane-bullet-train2014.ogv
File:Mt_Fuji_NASA_ISS002-E-6971_large.jpg
Mt_Fuji_NASA_ISS002-E-6971_large.jpg
File:Geologycal cross-section of Fuji.png
Geologycal cross-section of Fuji.png
File:Hasshinpo of Mt.Fuji 40.jpg
Hasshinpo of Mt.Fuji 40.jpg
File:Mount Ashiwada and Mount Fuji.jpg
Mount Ashiwada and Mount Fuji.jpg
File:Fuji in the Mountains of Taisekiji LACMA M.2006.136.141a-b.jpg
Fuji in the Mountains of Taisekiji LACMA...
File:Mt.Fuji Shizuoka Airport.jpg
Mt.Fuji Shizuoka Airport.jpg
File:Fuji illustration.jpeg
Fuji illustration.jpeg

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