HOKKAIDO KOMAGATAKE ERUPTION

March 6th,1996



At approx.00:45
      ...Smoke increases in volume.
At approx.1:00 ...A new crevice is found on Komagatake.
At approx.1:10 ...Nearby communities need to use windshield wipers when driving
                    because of the ash.
At approx.1:20 ...Minamikayabe and Higasi Onuma report ash falling. Intensity of
                    the smoke increases.
At approx.1:35 ...Smoke again intensifies.
At approx.1:40 ...No ashes reported.
At approx.2:25 ...No residents evacuating. No new development reported.
At approx.2:40 ...There are no significant changes reported as of this tine.
At approx.4:45 ...An evacuation warning is issued for a part of Higashi Onuma residents.
At approx.6:00 ...No development reported . Smoke believed to be blowing towards Shikabe.
At approx.6:25 ...A ban on climbing Komagatake is issued.
At approx.8:15 ...Altitude of 1,200m (above sea level) in a southeasterly direction. Crevice
                    cannot be seen.Smoke ,white in coler. No lava flow reported.
9:00 ...The team in Mori issues its first statement reporting sighting Komagatake's gray smoke
         from Mori 150m above Komagatake.
At approx.9:35 ...Komagatake 8th station -cloudy. Crevice cannot be seen .
11:40...A second origin of smoke begins.
11:55...News reports that 21 schools are closed in four towns, there are some cancellation
         by tourists,and Nanae Ski Resort closes.
16:08...The team in Mori issues its second statement that until 15:00 white smoke is 200m high,
         but is up to 400m,and now a north-south crevice and is emitting smoke which is
         blowing east.
17:55...Steam explosion reported sending nearby rocks flying. Steam to be caused by
         the heating of cold vapors on the surface of the crevice and not related to
         any lava flow activity. There is little danger.
18:30...A helicopter reports that a new crevice is formed 2m in width and 100m in length,
         and is emitting smoke seen up to 200m above Komagatake. 9km southeast of Komagatake,
         a new seismometer is set-up. Ashes fall in Shikabe and 20 town officials are sent in.
         Two-thirds of Nanae Ski Resort is covered in ashes. A few days of precautionary
         measures is required. No tremors reported.

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