Is Mount Fuji an active, dormant, or extinct volcano?

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Is Mount Fuji an Active, Dormant, or Extinct Volcano?

The simple and direct answer is: Mount Fuji is an active volcano.

You might find this strange – its last eruption was over 300 years ago, so how can it still be considered "active"? This comes down to how geologists classify volcanoes.

Mount Fuji: A Dozing Giant

You can think of Mount Fuji like a dozing giant. Even though it hasn't moved much for centuries, it's not "dead," only resting. The energy beneath it (deep underground) still exists and it could wake up at any time.

Therefore, a more precise way to describe Mount Fuji is as an active volcano in a state of dormancy.

Why is it Considered "Active"?

The Last Eruption Wasn't That Long Ago: Mount Fuji's last major eruption was in AD 1707 (known as the Hōei Eruption in Japan). In the vast expanse of geological time, 300 years is truly just the blink of an eye.
Its "Fire" is Still Present Underground: Scientific surveys indicate that a large magma chamber still exists deep directly beneath Mount Fuji. This is like a furnace – even though the flames aren't roaring right now, the embers and fuel are still inside, ready to flare up again.
Signs of Potential Activity Exist: The Japan Meteorological Agency and related research institutions constantly monitor Mount Fuji. They detect things like low-frequency earthquakes and minute crustal movements, all indicating that its internal energy systems are still operational.

Clarifying the Three Types

To help you understand better, here's a plain explanation of the differences between these three types:

Active Volcano
- Characteristics: A volcano that has erupted in geologically recent times (typically within the last 10,000 years) and has the potential to erupt again in the future.
- Example: Our subject today, Mount Fuji, is a prime example. It meets both criteria: "erupted recently" and "potential to erupt again".
Dormant Volcano
- Characteristics: This is actually a status within the active volcano category. It refers to a volcano with historical records of eruptions but which has been "quiet" for an extended period. As we said, it's "sleeping," but not "dead."
- Examples: The Yellowstone supervolcano in the USA or China's Changbai Mountain (Tianchi) are often classified this way.
Extinct Volcano
- Characteristics: A volcano that has lost its ability for activity. Its underground magma chamber has cooled and solidified, or its source of magma has been cut off, making future eruptions highly unlikely.
- Examples: The volcanic cluster in Datong, Shanxi Province, China, or Fangshan Mountain in Nanjing – now transformed into geoparks – are volcanoes that have "lived out their lifespan".

Summary:

So, although Mount Fuji appears peaceful and serene, serving as a sacred mountain and a major tourist destination in Japan, from a geological perspective, it's undoubtedly a significant presence – an active volcano that is currently dormant. It's simply "taking a long nap," and no one can say for sure when it will wake up.