Shimabara-Catastrophe

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Shimabara Catastrophe

Top of Part 2

About 200 years ago,

Mt. Fugen of Unzen Volcano

erupted (1792: the 4th year

of Kansei in Edo Era).

After the stop of the eruption,

Mt. Mayuyama (a lava dome

rising behind the Shimabara City)

suddenly collapsed

in a large scale in 1792,

being accompanied with a big

earthquake.

The debris

flow buried

nearly half of the Shimabara

Castle Town, and

generated a huge tsunami

which traveled across

Ariake Bay to hit

the opposite shore of

Kumamoto (Higo).

Thereby about 15,000

people were killed.

This has been the largest

volcanic disaster in Japan.

They call this

Shimabara Catastrophe.

Bird's-eye view of Mt. Mayuyama

Mt. Mayuyama consists of

two lava domes.

Mt. Tenguyama (on the left-hand side)

collapsed largely in 1792.

The small mounds

in its front

are resulted

by the collapse.

They are called "Nagare Yama"

(floated mounds).

Just before you is

the Shimabara City.

Eruption points of Unzen Volcano in the historic age
and the location of the Mayuyama Collapse

Furuyake lava flow (1663) and Shinyake lava flow (1792)

Both flowed down from the mountainside along the valley.