by Rainier Wong

Created on: December 08, 2009

Japan is a country that is full of wonders and natural beauties. Mount Iwate is one such place. The mountain is one of the volcanic mountains of the Ou Mountain range. Other mountains in the rannge include Mount Akitakoma, Mount Hakkoda, Hachimantai, Mount Kurikoma, Mount Yakeishi, and Mount Zao.

Mount Iwate is also known as Nanbu Fuji. The mountain looks very much like the famous Mount Fuji especially if it is viewed from the Morioka site. At its summit, Mount Iwate has several volcanic craters. One of them, known as the Nishi Iwatesan, is currently filled with water. This resulted in a lake called Lake Onawashiro. There are small volcanos or sommas on Mount Iwate. The largest somma is Yakushidake. The Higashi Iwatesan crater is surrounded by the sommas. If you view Mount Iwate from Koiwai Farm which is located in the south, you will be able to see the mountain's rough appearance and the Onigajo somma of Nishi Iwatesan.

Mount Iwate was formed 700,000 years ago. Since then, it had erupted many times. The mountain erupted 6000 years ago and formed a dome with a distinctive shape that can be seen today. In 1686 during the Edo period, Mount Iwate erupted and poured down a lot of volcanic ashes. The eruption also resulted in an avalanche of rocks and mud. During the eruption of 1719 when Japan was still in the Edo period, the lava that had flown out came to be known as Yakebashiri. The length of the lava was three kilometers. Today, it is designated as a natural museum and had became an inspiration for a Japanese poem. Today, the mountain is still an active volcano. However, no major eruption had occurred since 1919.

Since Mount Iwate is an active volcano, an eruption can occur at any time and you may be visiting the place at your own risk. Therefore, it is important that you listen for evacuation instructions on the radio or television and volcano information from the Morioka area meteorological observatory. Also, do not attempt to go beyond any point that you are permitted too. If you are with at tourist group,stay with it all the time and don't wander away.

Works Consulted:

"Mt. Iwate, http://www.kenji-world.net/english/ihatov/climate/iw atesan.html (Accessed December 8, 2009)

www.japanriver.or.jp/EnglishDocument/DB/.../003%20To hoku%2003.pdf (Accessed December 8, 2009)

"Mount Iwate Volcanic Activtiy, http://www.thr.mlit.go.jp/iwate/kodomo/english/kazan _e/kazan_info/t2_1.html (Accessed December 8, 2009)

"Disaster Control for Mount Iwate, http://www.thr.mlit.go.jp/iwate/kodomo/english/kazan _e/kazan_info/t4_1.html (Accessed December 8, 2009)

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