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Effects of Ash Fall from Mt. Fuji Eruption on the Contemporary Metropolitan Area
Published:
16 April 2024
by MDPI
in OHOW 2023 – The 2nd International Symposium on One Health, One World
session Urban Safety & Disaster Mitigation
Abstract:
Since the 2011 magnitude 9 off the Great East Japan earthquake, Japan is said to have entered a period of seismic activity. When a magnitude 9-class earthquake occurs, volcanic activity usually increases in the surrounding area, and in Japan, volcanic eruptions have become more active since 2011.In light of this situation, if an eruption and ash fall of the same magnitude as the eruption of Mt. Fuji that occurred approximately 300 years ago(1707) during the Edo Period were to occur today, the impact, damage, and countermeasures would be incomparably more difficult than in the Edo Period.
Mt. Fuji eruption during the Edo Period the continued intermittently for about two weeks, causing ash fall damage not only to the area around Mt. Fuji but also to the town of Edo with the final ash fall estimated to have been 3 to 10 cm. However, damage to houses, roads and water sources, no major damage occurred except some damage to crops in the fields.
One of the major differences between the Edo period and modern society is the vastly different structure and character of the various types of living infrastructure. Especially transportation infrastructure such as roads, railroads, and airports; and daily life infrastructure such as electricity, communications, water, sewage, and gas; supply of food and other essential goods; and the nature of businesses, schools, and hospitals are very different between the Edo period and today. Therefore, the impact of ash fall on society is expected to be incomparably more damaging than it was then.
Keywords: volcanic eruption; ash fall; damage to modern society
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24 November 2025
The effects of ash fall from a Mt. Fuji eruption would be far more serious today than in the past. Modern infrastructure, dense population, and complex transport systems make the region much more vulnerable. Even a moderate ash fall could disrupt power, water, transport, and healthcare services across the metropolitan area. The study highlights how important it is for cities to plan for volcanic risk, because the impact would spread quickly through daily life and critical systems.
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Barlow Louiz
21 November 2025
This is a very insightful analysis. The comparison between the Edo Period and contemporary Tokyo really highlights how much more vulnerable modern urban infrastructure is to natural disasters like volcanic ash fall. It’s striking to consider that even a few centimeters of ash could severely disrupt transportation, utilities, and essential services today, whereas in the Edo Period the main impact was limited to crops. It emphasizes the importance of proactive disaster planning, resilient infrastructure design, and public awareness to mitigate such risks in densely populated metropolitan areas.
Samuel Berry
21 November 2025
This is a very insightful analysis highlighting the drastic differences in vulnerability between historical and contemporary societies in the face of volcanic ash fall. I find it particularly striking how modern urban infrastructure while designed for efficiency also introduces new risks, especially in transportation, utilities, and supply chains. Considering the potential scale of disruption, I wonder what specific mitigation strategies are currently being developed for Tokyo and other metropolitan areas to handle a scenario similar to the 1707 Mt. Fuji eruption. Integrating historical data with modern disaster preparedness could be invaluable for planning resilient urban systems.
Murphy Crew
22 November 2025
A clear breakdown of how a future eruption would create far wider damage than the 1707 event. Modern life depends on systems that fail fast when ash covers roads, power lines, and airports. Even a few centimeters of ash can shut down transport, strain hospitals, and block supply chains. Your point about the contrast with the Edo Period is spot-on. The same scale of ash fall today would hit daily life far harder because everything is more connected and more sensitive to disruption.
Riley Grant
22 November 2025
The comparison really highlights how a Mt. Fuji–scale ash fall today would be on a completely different level. Back in the Edo period, daily life wasn’t dependent on electricity, dense transportation networks, or massive logistics systems, so even 3–10 cm of ash didn’t cause widespread collapse. But in today’s urban environment, everything from power grids and water systems to railways, airports, hospitals, and supply chains would be severely disrupted. Even a moderate ash fall could basically paralyze the metropolitan area, showing how fragile modern infrastructure becomes under volcanic stress.
James Orr
24 November 2025
The comparison between the Edo-period eruption and the impact a similar ash fall would have today is eye-opening. Modern life depends heavily on networks that can fail quickly under even minor disruption, so a long ash fall around Mt. Fuji would hit transport, power, water, and communication all at once. Even a few centimeters of ash could slow entire cities, affect supply chains, and create health concerns. It’s a reminder that advanced infrastructure makes life easier, but it also makes societies more vulnerable when nature decides to test them.
Ava reed
4 December 2025
Mt. Fuji, Japan’s iconic stratovolcano, poses a significant risk to nearby densely populated areas, including the Greater Tokyo metropolitan region. An eruption producing significant ash fall could impact public health, infrastructure, transport, and the economy.
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- **Air Quality Degradation:** Volcanic ash contains fine particles (silica) that can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate asthma, and cause long-term lung issues.
- **Water Contamination:** Ash can enter water supply systems, affecting drinking water and requiring filtration.
- **Vegetation Damage:** Ash cover on crops and gardens reduces photosynthesis and can damage urban greenery.
- **Acidic Runoff:** Rain mixing with ash can lead to acid rain, impacting soil and water bodies.
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- **Transport Disruption:** Ash accumulation on roads and railways reduces traction, clogs engines, and can halt trains and vehicles. Airports may close due to visibility reduction and turbine damage risk.
- **Power Outages:** Ash on power lines and substations can cause short circuits and outages.
- **Buildings and Roof Collapse:** Thick ash deposits add weight to roofs, risking structural damage, particularly for older or flat-roofed buildings.
- **Telecommunications Interference:** Ash particles can damage antennas and reduce signal reliability.
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- **Business Interruption:** Offices, shops, and factories may halt operations due to transport disruption or power outages.
- **Healthcare Strain:** Hospitals and clinics face increased patient load due to respiratory issues.
- **Emergency Services:** Fire, police, and rescue operations are slowed due to ash-covered roads.
- **Public Anxiety and Evacuations:** Mass evacuations could be required, straining logistics in densely populated areas.
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- **Monitoring and Early Warning:** Real-time observation of volcanic activity and ash plume forecasting.
- **Infrastructure Resilience:** Strengthening roofs, designing ash-tolerant transport systems, and installing air filtration in buildings.
- **Public Education:** Guidelines on mask usage, indoor sheltering, and safe clean-up procedures.
- **Emergency Plans:** Coordinated evacuation routes, stockpiling of essentials, and continuity plans for businesses and services.
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An eruption of Mt. Fuji with significant ash fall could severely affect contemporary metropolitan areas, particularly Tokyo. Preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and public awareness are key to minimizing health risks, economic disruption, and infrastructural damage.
