Volcanic Earthquakes At Japanese Resort – Tourist Warning Issued

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Volcanic Earthquakes At Japanese Resort - Tourist Warning Issued

Japan’s meteorological agency issued a warning on Tuesday to limit access to a popular resort after a nearby volcano became active and started belching steaming gas.

Two minor quakes registering 2.4 and 2.0 were recorded  at the volcano southwest of Tokyo and 98 volcanic earthquakes were recorded at the popular hot springs resort of Hakone.

Despite the warning, the agency still believes the risk of the Hakone volcano erupting is minimal.

RT reports: Japan’s meteorological agency has issued a warning to limit access to the resort.

“Activity at Hakone… is in a state of uncertainty,” the agency said in an advisory, which was reported by AFP. “There is a possibility that a minor eruption may suddenly occur,” it said. “Please do not enter dangerous zones.”

Despite the warning, the agency still believes the risk of the Hakone volcano erupting is minimal. It is maintaining an alert level at 1 on a scale of 5. Level 1 means “normal.”

“Shallow hot-water activity in parts of the Owakudani Valley has become unstable,” the agency said in an advisory note, which was cited by the Kyodo news agency. “There is a possibility that a minor ejection [of hot steam] may suddenly occur,” it said. “Please do not enter danger zones.”

Local hiking trails are also off-limits as there has been a recent surge in volcanic activity. On May 1, just two volcanic earthquakes were recorded; however this figure has been increasing. There were 36 logged on Sunday and 34 on Monday. The figure spiked on Tuesday.

The warning comes during the middle of Japan’s “Golden Week” spring holidays and is likely to affect tourism in the area. Around 20 million people visit Hakone, which is home to some of the country’s most famous hot springs.

Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are relatively commonplace.

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