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CLICK! to skip text and get to the pics Sakurajima Volcano is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Since it's first recorded eruption in A.D. 708, Sakurajima has been in nearly constant eruption and, since 1955, it has erupted 100-200 times each year. The 1914 eruption of Sakurajima was the biggest eruption in Japan this century. It taught volcanologists a number of lessons about how volcanoes work. And because the people quickly left the island, there were few deaths. About 7,000 people live in the town of Sakurajima, which is nestled at the foot of the volcano. When I hopped on the ferry to visit this fascinating place, I had no idea of just how important it is to the scientific community. The Sakurajima Volcano has been designated, by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI), as one of only 16 "Decade Volcanoes" on the planet Earth. The project encourages research and public awareness of volcanoes that are considered to be especially hazardous. The following series of pics includes some shots of the ferry trip to and from the volcano. It also features a cute, nice-looking couple from Korea, who, like me, were on a self-guided excursion from the SuperStar Taurus. For a couple of hours that afternoon, we goofed around together, took pictures, talked about their future wedding plans, and then eventually went our separate ways. It was completely unexpected when we ended up meeting again later that evening--at the formal dinner and the captain's table.
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Last updated on September 18, 2003 |