JAPAN: MOUNT USU VOLCANO UPDATE
Japanese/Nat
Three days after the volcano in northern Japan burst back to life, experts say it has already changed the topography of the area.
They are warning it could have long-lasting effects on the lives of more than 51,000 people who live around its base.
Instead of coming from the main crater, volcanic gas and debris are now shooting from as many as eight new craters, two of them dangerously close to homes and a hot springs resort.
On the edge of Abuta, a town of 13-thousand was evacuated even before the eruptions began.
Plumes of white smoke continued to swell into the sky Sunday.
The billowing mass rose from new craters, one believed to be just a hundred metres (yards) from village homes.
Mount Usu coughed up gas and debris on Friday for the first time in 22 years, sending it 3 kilometres (2 miles) into the sky.
More eruptions opened up several new craters the following day, threatening the hot springs resort of Toyako Onsen.
Experts say that despite some calming in the volcano's activity Sunday there has been no fundamental change in its condition, meaning further, even bigger eruptions were still possible.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
The volcano is not much changed compared to yesterday's activity and the activity is very similar to that which occurred in the early stages of 1910 activity... so forming many craters in a limited zone and the eruptive activity continues.
SUPER CAPTION: Professor Hiromu Okada, Vulcanologist
Even before the latest eruptions, roads were cracking and water pipes had burst from the intense pressure boiling up from below the ground near the mountain on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island.
The mountain is one of 86 active volcanoes in Japan and has erupted eight times in the past 300 years.
The last one began in 1977 and lasted into the following year, triggering mudslides that killed at least two people.
An eruption in 1822 killed 50 people.
There have been no reports of deaths or injuries this time and, unlike in previous disasters, the Japanese government has come in for praise for its swift response.
With the first signs of increasing volcanic activity last week, local officials began telling residents of the imminent danger and encouraged them to evacuate as early as Wednesday.
Over 16-thousand residents have fled their homes, seeking shelter in temporary accommodation and with relatives.
Evacuees were fatalistic about their plight.
SOUNDBITE: (Japanese)
Being here is better than being at home, just in case something happens, but it is very stressful being away from home
SUPER CAPTION: Evacuee
SOUNDBITE: (Japanese)
There's no point worrying too much about this, there's nothing I can do about it
The Self Defence Forces, Japan's military, helped transport the evacuees, and distributed maps outlining possible danger spots.
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