is an
active volcano on the Japanese isle of
Izu Ōshima. Although the volcano is predominantly
basaltic, major eruptions have occurred at intervals of 100–150 years.
Mount Mihara's major eruption in 1986 saw lava fountains up to high. The eruption had a
Volcanic Explosivity Index of 3, and involved a central vent eruption, radial fissure eruption, explosive eruption,
lava flows, and a
lava lake eruption. There was also a 16 km high
subplinian plume. All of the island's 12,000 inhabitants were evacuated by dozens of vessels consisting of both the military and civilian volunteers.
The most recent eruption was in 1990.
Mihara in popular culture
In the realm of fiction, Mount Mihara was the place where the Japanese government imprisoned
Godzilla in the movie ''
The Return of Godzilla''. Five years later, in the sequel ''
Godzilla vs. Biollante'', bombs placed on Mt. Mihara go off and release Godzilla from his fiery tomb.
In the novel
''Ring'' by Koji Suzuki and its
subsequent film adaption, Shizuko Yamamura, the mother of
Sadako, predicted that Mount Mihara would someday erupt using her psychic abilities. After a failed psychic demonstration which resulted in Sadako psychically murdering a reporter, Shizuko became depressed and ultimately insane and committed suicide by leaping into the crater of Mount Mihara.
Suicide
From a vantage point near the top of the cone it was once possible to leap into the crater. As a result, the volcano became a popular venue for
suicides. Beginning in the 1920s, several suicides occurred in the volcano every week; more than six hundred people jumped in 1936. Authorities eventually erected a fence around the base of the structure to curb the number of suicides.
Bibliography
* ''Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide'' by Kay Redfield Jamison, Vintage Books 2000
References
External links
Izu-Oshima- Japan Meteorological Agency
* - Japan Meteorological Agency
- Geological Survey of Japan
Izu-Oshima: Global Volcanism Program- Smithsonian Institution
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mihara, Mount
Category:Mountains of Tokyo
Category:Stratovolcanoes of Japan
Category:Izu-Bonin volcanic arc
Category:Active volcanoes
Category:Volcanoes of Tokyo
Category:Suicide in Japan