Fujiyama - Is the volcano active or extinct? Where is the Fuji volcano? What is hidden in the mountain of Fujiyama?

Fujiyama is a volcano that is considered one of the most beautiful on the planet. It is located on the territory of Japan, where it has been idolized since time immemorial. It should be noted that even now in this country the mountain is considered a sacred national symbol. The ancient Japanese believed that it was here that the gods dwelt. In connection with all this, there is nothing surprising in the fact that its image is found not only in numerous paintings and photos, but also on national Japanese banknotes. There is a legend that the mountain appeared on absolutely flat ground in just one night, the reason of which was a strong earthquake.

The volcano is owned by the Great Hongu Sengen Temple - an important Shinto shrine. In one of its halls to our time is stored the original gift, received from the shogun in 1609. It should be emphasized that it was confirmed by the Japanese Supreme Court in our time.

Location

The Fujii volcano on the map of Japan can be seen on the island of Honshu. The distance from here to the capital of the country - Tokyo - is about ninety kilometers in the southeast direction. Its location is directly above the zone, where three tectonic plates are simultaneously docked - Philippine, North American and Eurasian. Now around the mountain is the National Japanese Park, which is called Fuji-Hakone-Izu. From any place on the island can be seen its even cone. From the geographical point of view, the coordinates of the Fujiyama volcano are designated as 35 degrees 21 minutes north latitude and 138 degrees 43 minutes east longitude. A special chain of scenery is attached to the chain consisting of five lakes that surround the mountain from the north side.

Status

In our time, scientists around the world are in polemics about what status the Fuji volcano should have: is it active or extinct? There are many arguments in favor of both one statement and the second, so it is not so simple to answer this question unequivocally. Now in Japan it is called an active volcano, the probability of erupting which is very low.

Form, size and age

The mountain has the shape of an almost perfect cone. The height of the Fujiyama volcano is 3,776 meters. In this regard, most of the time its peak is difficult to see because of the clouds. Separate words deserve the outline of the crater, which outwardly look very much like a lotus flower. His petals in this case are huge ridges, which were called by the locals as Yaksudo-Fuyo. As for its diameter, it is about five hundred meters. According to numerous archaeological and scientific studies, the mountain is a stratovolcano. Its formation began about one hundred thousand years ago. This process lasted a very long time and ended about ten thousand years ago. On the western slope is the so-called Great Failure. Around him is a large number of various religious buildings.

Origin of the name

Even in our time, many scientists find it difficult to answer, which is why Mount Fujiama was named precisely that name. Judging by modern hieroglyphs, "Fuji" literally means abundance and wealth. Along with this, one should not forget that the name has existed for many centuries, therefore such an approach will not be entirely correct and, most likely, does not have a true semantic load. Many researchers refer to one of the Japanese annals, dated the tenth century. It states that the name of the volcano means "immortality".

One of the British missionaries (John Batchelor) at the beginning of the twentieth century advanced the theory that the word "Fujiyama" is of Ainu origin and denotes a fiery deity. However, the famous Japanese linguist Kyosuke later refuted this version. Studies on this subject are ongoing, but there is as yet no single interpretation.

The conquest of the top

Among other things, Fujiyama is a volcano that attracts a huge number of tourists every year. Information about his first conquest dates back to 663 year. Then an unknown monk managed to climb the mountain. According to statistical information, about five million tourists from all over the world come here annually. At the same time, on average, one in ten of them makes an ascent to the crater itself. Its depth is about two hundred meters, which can not but captivate the spirit of everyone who has got here.

Currently, there are three routes that lead all wishing tourists directly to the vent. An interesting fact related to the ascent to the volcano is due to the fact that earlier it was allowed only for men to climb it. This happened before the rule of Mendy (1868-1912). Since that time, much has changed, and now it is women who make up the majority of the pilgrims. You can climb the mountain from July 1 to August 31. It is this time that is considered the safest. In all other months, the top is covered with snow.

Eruptions

The statistics of eruptions of this volcano has been going on for more than twelve centuries, starting from 781 years. During this period, with a more or less significant force, only six were recorded.

Since the last strong eruption has passed more than three hundred years. It began on November 24, 1707 and lasted for two months. Halfway from the top to the foot of the mountain, a second crater appeared, from which lava and thick smoke escaped. The area where the Fujii volcano is located, as well as most of Tokyo's capital Tokyo streets, were literally covered with a thick layer of ash. The emerging secondary peak, which is known as Hazan, can still be seen today. Two more large eruptions occurred in 800 and 864 years.

Fujiyama in Japanese art

In the national art of Japan, Mount Fuji, as a rule, is depicted in the form of a volcano with snow-covered slopes, from the mouth of which there is a small trickle of smoke. The first memories of her in local literature date back to the eighth century. It should be recalled that at this time the period of its volcanic activity fell. Famous all over the world Fujiyama was largely due to the work of Japanese engravers, who created during the reign of Emperor Edo. The most popular of them are such works of Hokusai as "Thirty-six species on Mount Fuji" and "One hundred species of Fuji".

Part of the national park

As already noted above, Mount Fuji is an integral part of the national park. On its slopes, you can find many signs warning of a strict ban on the release of garbage. Moreover, each pilgrim before the ascent receives a package intended for its collection, if any was left by someone. However, no one considers it shameful to contribute to the maintenance of the Japanese shrine in a clean state. To ensure proper order on the slopes there are also many automatic biotoilets.

Tourism

Without a doubt, Fujiyama is a volcano, which is the most popular and main tourist object in Japan. Not surprisingly, most residents of the country consider it to be the most beautiful place on the whole planet. Starting in July, for three months, local rescue centers and small mountain huts are at the disposal of tired tourists and travelers. At this time, there is also a very common trade in food and drink.

Of the three paved to the top of the trails, one main is marked. On it are ten points intended for recreation. Here to each conqueror the peaks are given out special staffs made of bamboo. They significantly help them with their ascent. Moreover, at each of the stations, stigmas are stamped on the staffs, which is a confirmation of the fact that the tourist has actually overcome the stage. To simplify the climb to half way (by the fifth point) a road is laid.

Religious and cultural significance

On the territory of Japan, an absolute majority of inhabitants profess Shinto. For every adherent of this religion, Fujiyama is a sacred volcano. The ancient inhabitants of the country assumed that his crater was the forge of the fire god Aina. This, in their opinion, was considered the reason for the fact that the slopes were strewn with debris and ash. Now for a while, from July to August, the period of the greatest activity of pilgrims is falling, and they are striving to visit their main shrine. During this time every night there are up to three thousand people who from here want to watch the vast expanses of the ocean and the sun rising from them. The pilgrimage to this mountain every Japanese considers his sacred duty.