Table 1 Timeline of events associated with the 2014 volcanic eruption of Mt. Ontake
Date | Event |
|---|---|
1979 | A phreatic explosion at Mt. Ontake volcano (VEI 2) |
2007 | A phreatic explosion at Mt. Ontake volcano |
Sep 10-16, 2014 | An increase in volcanic earthquakes was observed (the volcanic alert level 1). |
Sep 27, 2014 | A phreatic eruption occurred at Mt. Ontake, and the JMA raised the volcanic alert level for Mt. Ontake from 1 to 3. |
Oct 16, 2014 | Relief efforts were completed. |
Jan 19, 2015 | The JMA set the access-limited area to within 3 km. |
Jun 26, 2015 | The alert level for Mt. Ontake was lowered to 2. |
Jul 1, 2015 | The Act on Special Measures Concerning Active Volcanoes was amended. |
Jul 29, 2015 | The search resumed for those listed as missing. |
Jul 31, 2015 | One body was recovered from a search, resulting in 58 deaths and five missing persons. |
Aug 6, 2015 | The search effort for missing persons was called off. |
Dec 10, 2015 | The revised Act on Special Measures Concerning Active Volcanoes was brought into force. |
Jun 28 2016 | Some restrictions on mountain trails were lifted. |
Sep 24, 2016 | The mountain trail up to the ninth station was allowed on the side of the village of Otaki. |
Jan 25, 2017 | A group of bereaved families filed a lawsuit against the local government and the JMA, claiming that they failed to raise the alert level when there was an increase in volcanic earthquakes at the beginning of September, 2014. |
Aug 21, 2017 | The alert level for Mt. Ontake was lowered to 1. |
Jan 23, 2018 | Phreatic explosion at Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane volcano, resulting in one fatality. |
Sep 21, 2018 | A group of bereaved families searched for missing individuals. |
Sep 26, 2018 | The town of Kiso lifted restrictions for going to the summit of Mt. Ontake (until Oct. 8th). Some grieving families climbed to the summit. |
Jul 1, 2019 | The town of Kiso lifted restrictions for going to the summit of Mt. Ontake (until Oct. 16th). |