Volcanic Alert Level Raised For Hokkaido's Mount Tokachi

TOKYO, Sept 12 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- The volcanic alert level for Mount Tokachi on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido was raised to three on a scale of five, restricting entry to the mountain, regional weather authorities said Saturday, Kyodo News reported.

Raising the alert from level two, which restricts access to the crater of the 2,077-metre mountain, the Sapporo Regional Headquarters of the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that an eruption could occur, affecting areas within around three kilometers of the crater.

The weather authorities said large earthquakes near the volcano have increased since August, warning residents in Furano, Biei, Kamifurano, Minamifurano and Shintoku of the possible ejection of ash and small volcanic rocks.

In the town of Kamifurano, an evacuation order was issued for the Fukiage hot spring district, about three kilometres away from the crater. At the nearby Tokachidake hot spring area, elderly people were also told to evacuate.

Hakugin-so, a lodging facility in the Fukiage area, temporarily closed due to the volcanic alert. Ryounkaku, a hotel in the Tokachidake hot spring area, remains open for business, but has recommended evacuation for elderly guests.

It is the first level three alert for Mount Tokachi. Volcanic gas emissions have increased since April and small eruptions occurred in July and August. Before that, an eruption took place in February 2004.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO