Mount Aso

The active crater Naka -dake

The Aso caldera (source: SRTM data )

The Aso (Japanese阿苏 山, Aso- san ) is a volcano in the east of Kumamoto Prefecture on the Japanese island of Kyushu. It consists of a caldera and several volcanic cones, which originated in the caldera.

The caldera with an area of ​​25 km in north-south and 18 km in east-west direction was developed in four major outbreaks 300000-90000 years ago. The eruption 90,000 years ago is cited as a possible example of a " super- eruption ", a term of so-called super volcanoes is assigned. The eruptions pyroclastic flows, whose deposits covered large parts of the island of Kyūshū emerged.

The soft volcanic rock has in the Kofun period as a material for grave statues ( " haniwa " ) is used. In the north of the city of Aso caldera lies.

Following the collapse of the caldera originated in their middle 17 volcanic cones, including the Taka- dake ( 1592 meters), the Naka -dake (1506 meters), the Neko -dake ( 1433 meters), the Kishima -dake ( 1362 meters ) and the Eboshi -dake ( 1337 meters).

Naka -dake

The only active in the historical period of Naka -dake crater; he is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Most are minor eruptions, often in the form of phreatic explosions. In the crater of a lake has formed.

The crater is located in the Aso- Kuju National Park and is one of the most popular destinations of tourists to the island of Kyūshū. He can be reached by public transport; on the crater rim are parking and viewing platforms; the two cable cars and a toll road are accessible. Concrete shelters on the crater rim are designed to provide protection in case of sudden eruptions.

In eruptions of Naka -dake multiple people died. 1957, killed 12 employees of the cable car company. 1979 were killed by blocks three tourists who had ejected the crater. Toxic gases led in November 1997 to the death of two tourists; to have died of gas poisoning seven other people 1980-1997.