Caption : Showa Shinzan (昭和新山) - Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Shinzan literally means "new mountain" and this 398m volcanic
lava dome was created by a series of strong earthquake
between 1943 & 1945. As this was the period reigned by Emperor
Hirohito during the Showa period, thus "Showa Shinzan".
Caption : The Story
of Mr. Masao Mimatsu, Owner of Mt. Showa
Shinzan
In 1943, a wheat field in the area began to experience rapid
uplifting as the result of a sudden earthquake and this seismic
event eventually changed into volcanic activity. As Japan was at
war, supplies of food, camera film, paper, clothing and other items
were very scarce, and therefore scientists lacked the resources to
attempt to study this geologic phenomenon.
Mr. Masao Mimatsu, who served as the local postmaster of
Sobetsu-cho at the time, watched the eruption very closely.
Remembering the lesson he once learned that "Eruptions are the
biggest opportunity for studying the interior of the Earth," he
started to record all of the details of the volcanic activity on
paper. He did his best to devote himself to the creative study of
the volcanic dome that was being formed.
Caption : Bird-eyed view of Showa Shinzan from Mt
Uzu (有珠山)
Furthermore, in 1946 he bought up the land using all of his
savings and became owner of the volcano. In 1948, his data was
presented at the World Volcano Conference in Oslo, and his paper
sketches were referred to as the "Mimatsu Diagram" and were highly
praised by experts from around the world. In Japan as well, he was
honored for his achievements and he received many awards including
the First Hokkaido Cultural Award.
In 1977, he was able to witness the third eruption of Mt. Usuzan
in his lifetime, however he unfortunately died of illness on
December 8 the same year at the age of 89, without seeing the end
of the eruptive event.
A memorial statue of Mr. Mimatsu was built at the foot of Mt.
Usuzan reflecting his love for nature, and it is hoped that the
statue will contribute to the protection of the mountain.
