Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
73 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/10
Osawa-Kuzure: The Spectacular Gouge on Mt. Fuji's Western Slope
Location: Lake Tanuki, Shizuoka, Japan
Timestamp: 09:13・2024/02/28
In this cropped view of the western slope of Mt. Fuji, the prominent feature known as Osawa-Kuzure (Osawa Collapse) stands out vividly. This substantial gouge, visible even from a distance, presents a striking spectacle, particularly when observed through satellite imagery on platforms like Google Maps or Google Earth.
Spanning 500 meters (1,640 feet) at its widest point and plunging to a maximum depth of 150 meters (492 feet), this deep gully extends for 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) before merging into the Urui River, which eventually flows into the sea.
Osawa-Kuzure remains in a state of perpetual transformation, with its sides continually succumbing to collapse, resulting in a daily cascade of approximately 275 tons of rock debris down the mountain's western slope.
Geological evidence suggests that Osawa-Kuzure began its formation roughly 3,000 years ago, with a significant expansion occurring approximately 1,000 years ago due to a catastrophic event. The cumulative volume of sediment deposited by this phenomenon is estimated at a staggering 75,000,000 cubic meters (2.65 billion cubic feet) of debris.
While the snow-capped peak of Mt. Fuji exudes a serene majesty, it conceals a stark reality: the volcano remains active. The potential consequences of an eruption are grave, with the displacement of 750,000 people residing in the vicinity and the potential for widespread disruption across the Tokyo metropolitan area. The fallout from volcanic ash, consisting of rock fragments and lava, could lead to the collapse of roofs, closure of critical infrastructure, power outages, water contamination, and disruptions to food supplies, highlighting the precarious balance between Mt. Fuji's awe-inspiring beauty and its latent volatility.
References:
- Google Maps: Lake Tanuki (田貫湖)
- Google Maps: Osawa-Kuzure (大沢崩れ)
- Wikipedia: Osawa-Kuzuri (Japanese)
- Mt. Fuji Westside Area Tourism Association: Mt. Fuji West Side Story (English)
- Mt. Fuji Sabo Office, Chubu Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Ozawa Collapse (English)
- Copernicus Publications: Temporal changes in the debris flow threshold under the effects of ground freezing and sediment storage on Mt. Fuji (English)
- Smithsonian Magazine: Why Mount Fuji Endures As a Powerful Force in Japan (English)
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