Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain at 3,776 meters. It was formed by four phases of volcanic activity over hundreds of thousands of years. The volcano last erupted in 1707 and is considered active but at low risk of future eruptions. Surrounding Mount Fuji are five lakes - Kawaguchi, Motosu, Saiko, Shōji, and Yamanaka - which were formed from lava flows and remain connected by underground waterways. Lake Kawaguchi is the most famous lake, while Lake Saiko is a popular resort area for activities like fishing and windsurfing.
4. Geologic History
• Mount Fuji is the highst mountain is Japan, with an elevation od 12,388 feet.
• It stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka, and is surrounded by
five lakes. It is also a part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
• The temperature is usually somewhere between -18º to +8ºC.
• The volcano is currently classified as active with low risk of eruption. The last
recorded eruption occurred in 1707 during the Edo Period. At this time, a new
crater, along with a second peak, named Hõei-Zan, formed halfway down its
side.
5. Scientists believe that Mt. Fuji was formed
in four distinct phases of volcanic activity
• The first phase, called Sen-Komitake, is composed of an andesite core
that has just recently been discovered deep within the mountain.
• the second phase was called Komitake Fuji, which is a basalt layer
believed to be formed several hundred thousand years ago.
• "Old Fuji", the third phase, was formed approximately 100,000 years ago
over the top of Komitake Fuji.
• Finally, the modern, "New Fuji" is believed to have formed over the top
of old Fuji around 10,000 years ago.
6. Lakes of the Fuji
The five lakes are located in an arc around the northern half of Mount Fuji.
Lake Kawaguchi
- Is the most famous of the five lakes, and images of this lake are usually
used in posters and commercials for the Fuji Five Lakes area.
7. Lakes of the Fuji
Lake Motosu
-Lake Motosu is the ninth deepest lake of Japan, at 140 meters. This
lake, along with Lake Saiko and Lake Shojiko, was formed by lava
flowing across what is now Aokigahara Jukai Forest and into the
enormous lake that once dominated the area, and these three lakes
remain still connected by underground waterways.
8. Lakes of the Fuji
Saiko (Western Lake)
-The area is a popular resort, with many lakeside hotels, windsurfing
facilities, camp sites, and excursion boatsand. This place is my favorite
sport fishing.
9. Lakes of the Fuji
Lake Shōji
-It is the smallest of the Fuji Five Lakes in terms of surface area, and
third deepest, with a maximum water depth of 15.2 metres
10. Lakes of the Fuji
Lake Yamanaka
-The easternmost and largest of the five lakes, Lake Yamanaka is also
the third highest lake in Japan, standing at 980 meters above sea level.
