Miyakejima, the island where you must always wear a gas mask

With a population that is less than 3,000 inhabitants, Miyake is an island of only 55.50 km ², which emerges on the sea as an active volcanic cone that has led to evacuate more than one occasion to the entire population.

Within the group of Izu Islands, Japan, is the island of Miyakejima , administered by the Tokyo government and located about 180 kilometers south of the city.

Even after his last series of eruptions in 2000, took four years to rehabilitate the island to allow the return of its residents. The eruptive activity is such that since 2005, Mount Oyama has not stopped its constant emission of sulfur dioxide, an irritating
and toxic gas.

Thus, residents of Miyakejima are required to have permanently a gas mask, but they must not use a consistent manner. Children should take your mask to attend college.

On the island, a measurement system and alarms to alert the population in case of need to use the masks to the dramatic increase in the levels of sulfur in the air.

The warning system of four levels, based on sulfur dioxide concentrations in different parts of the island. In a level three residents are advised to use the masks and stay indoors, while a level four, are required to evacuate. The warning device had to
be activated only a week after the residents return to the island in 2005.

Miyakejima is accessible by ferry during the night, leaving from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, near Hamamatsucho, Tokyo or by helicopter. Airline flights, suspended since the last eruption, were resumed in 2008 after declining sulfur dioxide levels at reasonable
levels.

Despite the picture and nothing encouraging aspect of the island of Miyakejima, tourists are allowed to visit, attracted primarily by lush landscaping and the possibility of diving in an area full of marine life. Gas masks are available on arrival at the
tourist shops on the island, to bring a souvenir after the visit, as an exotic souvenir.

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Posted by Fouad Ashraf on May 31 2012. Filed under World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry