Field Work in Sakurajima

Sakurajima from Sakurajima Ferry (from Kagoshima city to Sakurajima Island)

We went to Sakurajima which is like a Island (but not really an Island because it is connected to Kyushu at a point), in December 2014. Sakurajima is in Kagoshima prefecture, which is the south part of Kyushu Island in Japan. This Sakurajima is quite famous as an active volcano in Japan.

What is our work? I cannot say our idea for the field work in detail because we haven't made any publication with this study. Anyway, our aim is to collect volcanic ash samples and their pictures.

My colleague making an special box for collecting volcanic ash samples.

At first, we waited for an eruption in the observatory. When the strain of volcanic edifice grows, we moved to the downwind direction. And there, we waited for an eruption again. Once it happened, we ran by a car to follow the volcanic cloud. Then, we collect samples just under the volcanic cloud.

My cap was covered with volcanic ashes.

It was nasty to work under the ash fall especially when it rained. The first eruption we caught was with a rain. So the samples were wet and it was very difficult to take good pictures.

Ash covered car.

Our car is coated by ashes. Though it is not clear because this car's color is silver, people were surprised with our car completely covered with ashes. Of course, we followed ash cloud!

Starting of the eruption.

 After two days, the weather became better. So I could see the eruption starting from Showa Crater. It was not such a big eruption, while it was exciting to see the volcanic cloud. Fortunately, it was not so scary this time.

Tonkotsu Ramen in Kagoshima city

My colleagues came back as they had other schedules. Finally, I became alone... I went out for eating dinner by myself in Kagoshima city where I stayed. I chose "Ramen" because Tonkotsu taste is popular in Kyushu. Tonkotsu means a bone of porc/pig. The soup of this ramen is taken by bones of porc. I like Ramen, and it was delicious!

Now, I am analyzing the data which we took in Sakurajima. I feel that these data are not enough and I have to come back to Sakurajima later again. It's my pleasure to come back!