地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Mount Unzen: A View of an Active Volcano

The four major peaks that make up Mt. Unzen, Mt. Myoken, Mt. Kunimi, and Mt. Fugen are all ancient peaks, while Mt. Heisei-shinzan is a lava dome, created by a massive eruption that saw 200 million cubic meters of lava spew out between November 1990 and 1995. The swift moving clouds of gas and volcanic matter known as pyroclastic flows reached almost five kilometers from the summit, killing some forty scientists. The damage from the avalanche of earth and rocks—as well as the volcanic ash—was extensive and heightened by rainfall. Over 11,000 residents were evacuated and some 2,500 buildings destroyed.

Though the routes taken by the pyroclastic flows are clearly visible, the forests and plant life that were overrun and destroyed are gradually returning. The recovery began with grasses, scrub forest, and azaleas, which grow even in extreme environments, and will continue as larger trees—maple and other broadleafs—get a foothold.

Today, the mountain is carefully monitored, and trekking paths are open to all the peaks except for the lava dome, whose boulder-strewn surface is still unstable. The ropeway ends on the peak of Mt. Myoken, one of the highest spots with a panoramic view of the entire peninsula. Bird watchers are encouraged to make the short trek starting to the left of the shrine, which leads to the Azamidani valley area, populated by tits, warblers, flycatchers, and other species.

雲仙岳

活火山的震懾景象

雲仙岳、妙見岳、國見岳、普賢岳——四大山峰自古以來巍然聳立，而平成新山則是1990年11月至1995年，由體積達2億立方公尺的熔岩形成的火山穹丘。當時，流動迅速的炙熱火山氣體與煙雲，夾雜著火山噴發物匯成鋪天蓋地的火山碎屑流，從山頂蔓延至約5公里遠的地方，奪去了40多位科學家的生命。岩屑崩落與火山灰造成的災害甚鉅，並隨著降雨進一步擴大。估計逾11000多人被迫遷移避難，約2500棟房屋遭毀。

火山碎屑流造成的災情殘影至今仍清晰可見，不過被熔岩吞噬的森林、植物已逐漸恢復生機。最早來報到的，便是在嚴酷的環境中也有著頑強生命力的野草、灌木林以及杜鵑花。隨後，以楓樹為首的闊葉樹等喬木也開始紮根生長。大自然的復甦步履一直未曾停歇。

目前整個火山區域仍在嚴密監控中，除岩石密佈、尚不穩定的平成新山外，其餘的登山道均可通行。纜車終點站位於妙見岳山頂，此處是可將島原半島風光盡收眼底的絕佳觀賞點之一。想要觀察野鳥的遊客，建議前往AZAMI谷區域。這裡棲息著遠東山雀、日本樹鶯、鶲等鳥類，沿著神社左側的登山道步行片刻即可抵達。

云仙岳

活火山的震撼风景

云仙岳、妙见岳、国见岳、普贤岳——四大山峰自古以来巍峨耸立，而平成新山则是1990年11月至1995年，由体积达2亿立方米的熔岩形成的火山穹丘。当时，流动迅速的炙热火山气体与烟云，夹杂着火山喷发物汇成铺天盖地的火山碎屑流，从山顶蔓延至约5公里远的地点，吞噬了40多位科学家的生命。岩屑崩落与火山灰造成的灾害甚巨，并随着降雨进一步扩大。11000多人被迫迁移避难，约2500栋房屋遭毁。

火山碎屑流的爪印至今仍清晰可见，不过被熔岩吞噬的森林、植物正逐渐恢复生机。而最早来报到的，便是在严酷的环境中也有着不屈生命力的野草、灌木林以及杜鹃花。随后，以枫树为首的阔叶树等乔木也开始扎根生长。大自然的复苏脚步一直未曾停歇。

平成新山地表岩石密布，并不稳固，尚处于严格监视中。除此地之外，其余的登山道均可通行。缆车终点站位于最高点之一的妙见岳山顶，可将岛原半岛尽收眼底。若想观察野鸟的游客，推荐前往AZAMI谷区域，沿着神社左侧的登山道步行片刻即可抵达。这里栖息着远东山雀、日本树莺、鹟等鸟类。