New research finds Mount Fuji may have erupted more often than previously thought

Mount Fuji may have erupted more frequently than previously thought, a joint research team from the University of Tokyo and the Mount Fuji Research Institute announced Friday, which could potentially impact disaster preparedness in eastern and central Japan.

“This is an important discovery, since understanding the frequency of volcano eruption can contribute to disaster prevention,” said Yusuke Yokoyama, a professor at The University of Tokyo and one of the team’s researchers.

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Major eruptions in the past can be detected by studying a layer of volcanic ash, called a tephra layer, found in sediment. The team decided to focus on studying the sediment from Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture, since sediment found in lakes is less disrupted by erosion and thus yields more reliable information.

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With more research, “We can devise a more intricate disaster prevention plan and understand the evacuation route.”

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