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Video length: 4 min
Japanese volcanoes: meeting a volcanologist
Friday March 29, the 13 Heures invites you to discover an extreme profession, that of volcanologist. For this, the France Télévisions teams followed Ryusuke Imura to Japan, through its volcanoes.
(France 2)
Friday March 29, the 13 Heures invites you to discover an extreme profession, that of volcanologist. For this, the France Télévisions teams followed Ryusuke Imura to Japan, through its volcanoes.
On the almost island of Kyushu, Kagoshima reigns supreme. This 1,117 meter high volcano is one of the most active in Japan. Ryusuke Imura is a volcanologist, and has been studying this mountain of fire for 40 years, which erupts around a hundred times a year. By analyzing past eruptions of the volcano, this scientist tries to prevent future big eruptions. “We have to keep in mind that there is enough magma inside for a very powerful eruption”he explains.
A risky job
Located on the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, Japan has no less than 111 active volcanoes, which offers scientists multiple options. However, this profession turns out to be dangerous. Ryusuke Imura has “lost many volcanologist friends“, and has himself already “was afraid of dying”. For the 2,000 inhabitants living at the foot of the volcanoes, danger is omnipresent. So, all children are required to go to school with a helmet on their heads. Once a year, Ryusuke Imura provides immersive workshops for students.
