Page 169 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

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Figure 9.4 Large sized volcanic bombs are scattered over the barren landscape of the summit of Mt Aso

foreign visitors to Kyushu. The most commendable are constantly repeated in four languages (Japanese,
advice on this website is the real-time updated Korean, English and Chinese). At the entrance to
crater status as well as a live webcam. Every the crater there are sign boards and warning signs
volcano visited by tourists should have a website (Figure 9.5) as well as colour-coded light signals as
like this to provide useful information for visitors a safety measure to provide information on the
before they arrive at their destination. From a safety density of the volcanic gases, reminding visitors to
point of view the audibility of the PA system at be watchful and stay alert. Gas recognition and
the crater is very good while the volcano is quiet, safety measures have been implemented for
and evacuations happen swiftly as soon as the tourists, with automated measuring equipment
wind direction changes and toxic fumes from the now installed at six locations near the crater. As
crater are blown towards the viewing areas and the soon as they detect a gas density above a specified
walkways (pers. observation). level, access to the crater is restricted (Aso Volcano
There have been fatal accidents in the past Disaster Prevention Council, 2008).
caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO ), not All the boardwalks are maintained well and
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eruptive activity. This is a colourless gas with a kept very clean. People take their whole families
pungent odour that irritates skin and eyes and can including children from a very young age
affect the respiratory system. Six fatalities occurred (Figure 9.6) for a day out on the volcano, as the
over a period of nine years between 1989 and 1997 walkways are wheelchair and stroller friendly.
and autopsies suggested that they each had a health While walking around there are opportunities to
condition which put them at a higher risk of death buy a block of sulphur or some volcanic rocks as
by volcanic gas inhalation (Ng’walali, 1999). a souvenir from one of the small stall holders who
To avoid accidents visitors on the summit of have their tables covered with volcanic memorabilia
Mt Aso have to listen for announcements, which as well as batteries for cameras. The only thing that

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