Hokkaido Tokachi-dake Volcano Alert Raised to Level 3; Hot Spring Area Evacuated
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Japan's Meteorological Agency raised the eruption alert for Hokkaido's Tokachi-dake volcano to Level 3 on Saturday, marking the first time such a warning has been issued for this peak. The agency banned entry to areas within 3km of the crater and ordered the evacuation of the Fukaionsen hot spring district in Kamifurano town, citing heightened seismic activity and the risk of large volcanic rocks.
Key Points
- Japan Meteorological Agency issued Level 3 eruption warning for Tokachi-dake on September 12, the first such alert in the volcano's recorded history .
- A 3km exclusion zone was imposed around the crater, with evacuation orders issued for Fukaionsen hot spring area in Kamifurano town .
- Seismic activity intensified around the volcano since mid-August, prompting the escalation from Level 2 (crater area restriction) issued in June .
- Tokachi-dake, a 2,077-metre active stratovolcano in central Hokkaido, showed increased volcanic tremors from July, including a very minor eruption .
- Towns of Furano, Kamifurano, Minamifurano and Shintoku are included in the Level 3 alert zone .
Why It Matters
The upgrade to Level 3 signals the most serious volcanic threat at Tokachi-dake in recent memory, raising concerns for the region's tourism and hot spring industry during peak autumn travel season. Historical precedent shows the volcano has produced deadly events—in 1926 a major eruption triggered landslides and mudflows that killed 144 people in nearby towns .
The upgrade to Level 3 signals the most serious volcanic threat at Tokachi-dake in recent memory, raising concerns for the region's tourism and hot spring industry during peak autumn travel season. Historical precedent shows the volcano has produced deadly events—in 1926 a major eruption triggered landslides and mudflows that killed 144 people in nearby towns .