Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji could paralyze Tokyo with ash if it erupted, choking roads and halting water supplies, according to a government disaster planning study, a news report said Tuesday.
The snow-capped peak of the country’s highest mountain, 100 kilometers west of Tokyo is a symbol of Japan — and is also an active volcano.
It last erupted in 1707, but while it has not shown any signs of life in recent decades, a potential eruption now could shower more than 4 inches of ash on central Tokyo, according to a government study seen by the Kyodo news agency.
The ash would paralyze the capital, rendering roads impassable and stopping the flow of goods and people.
The study found that just 0.5 centimeters of ash could cause mechanical problems for cars and more than one centimeter could cause mass power outages and the failure of water filtration systems, Kyodo reported.
Noriko Urata, an official in charge of disaster research, confirmed the government is assessing the possible impact of an eruption and preparing measures to deal with the scenario.