Mt. Ontake eruption exposes difficulty in predicting volcanoes
The Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network
September 30, 2014, 12:03 am TWN
September 30, 2014, 12:03 am TWN
Once again, we have been confronted with a
graphic reminder of the ferocity of volcanoes.
With the start of the year's autumnal
foliage season on the weekend, a large number of hikers were on the mountain
when it blew its top.
Many people were reported to have been
seriously injured from extremely hot volcanic ash. A number of people took
refuge in mountain lodges, but rescue operations were hindered as eruptions
continued.
The government set up a liaison office at
the Crisis Management Center in the Prime Minister's Office to speed
information-gathering efforts concerning casualties and damage. Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe issued instructions to officials to place priority on rescuing
victims and ensuring the safety of climbers, and ordered the dispatch of
Self-Defense Forces personnel to the affected area.
All-out endeavors must be made to minimize
the extent of damage, and no time should be wasted in transporting victims and
carrying out search-and-rescue operations for people unaccounted for.
It is unclear when Mt. Ontake
Plumes of smoke billowed high into the sky
from spots near the mountaintop in the volcano's eruption, and a huge amount of
volcanic ash spread over the mountain's slopes at tremendous speed. Volcanic
rocks were also flung around extensively.
A close watch must be kept on the
mountain's volcanic activities, while efforts should be made to prevent
secondary dangers.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an
alert, warning that further eruptions on a scale similar to Saturday's are
possible. The agency has raised the eruption alert level on its scale of five
from the lowest 1 at normal times to 3, meaning climbers are restricted from
entering the mountain range.
Structure of the Lead：
WHO-
WHEN- noon Saturday.
WHAT-explanation
WHY-Mt. Ontake erupted
WHERE-
HOW-
Keywords：
1. confronted with 面臨
2. straddles 跨越
3. liaison office 聯絡處
4. dispatch 調度
5. flung 甩到
I am so sorry to hear about this sad news. I could not imagine how terrible looking the maple would be and how the beautiful scenery has become. The Ontake eruption was horrifying. Because there are too many Volcanic rocks flung around extensively, a lot of smoke billowing high into the sky from the mountaintop, and a huge amount of volcanic ash spreading over. I am also frightened by the serious injury from extremely hot volcanic ash because I never heard it before. I wish the Japanese government will not waste time in rescuing victims and carrying out search-and-rescue operations for people whose whereabouts have not been clear now.
回覆刪除Hope that all the climbers can be saved and there will not be so terrible eruption recently.
It is sad to hear that there are so many tourists injured and died when the volcano suddenly erupted. Although the government has done their best to monitor the volcano, there are still something that we human can't control. Besides, the good weather and the pleasant fall wind has made more visitors came to visit the volcano. To sum up, even if we had thoroughly prepared, there are still things we can't control. What can we do is do our best and to cherish everything and people we have now since we don't know what will happen in the next minute!
回覆刪除I feel sad to hear the bad news. Mt. Ontake erupted suddenly, many people died when they climbed the mountain. Seldom did they know the volcano would erupt, many of them could not evacuate earlier. Japan is located on the volcanic seismic zone, it is easily to have earthquakes or volcanoes eruptions. Even if it can not forecast in advance, the government should also make plans to prevent more disasters
回覆刪除