Mount Mihara, Active volcano on Oshima Island, Japan
Mount Mihara is a volcano on Oshima Island in Japan, built from basalt rock and rising 764 meters above sea level. The central crater measures roughly 300 meters across and reaches down about 200 meters into the interior of the earth.
A major eruption in 1986 forced around 10,000 people to evacuate Oshima Island as lava flows covered large parts of the terrain. Since then, the mountain has been continuously monitored to ensure the safety of returned residents.
The name Gojinka-sama translates as honorable fire deity and reflects the traditional reverence for the mountain as a living natural force. Hikers still observe active fumaroles and red cinder fields today, making the relationship between people and volcanic earth visible.
The Obachi Meguri trail system leads hikers around the crater rim and offers several viewpoints overlooking the interior of the volcano. Guided tours help with orientation and provide information about current volcanic activity and safety guidelines.
The volcano is one of only three major effusive volcanoes worldwide, characterized by flowing lava streams instead of explosive eruptions. This gentler form of activity allows visitors to approach volcanic processes more closely than at most other volcanoes.
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