Post by drfanshawe on Jan 27, 2011 11:33:37 GMT -5
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8285559/James-Bond-villain-lair-volcano-erupts-in-Japan.html
James Bond villain lair volcano erupts in Japan
Mount Shinmoe, which featured as the volcano lair of James Bond villain Blofeld in You Only Live Twice, has erupted in Japan, forcing the evacuation of local residents.
Volcanic ash and rocks fell across a wide area of southern Japan on Thursday, forcing nine families living close to the foot of the mountain to evacuate.
The Shinmoe peak caldera spewed hot ash and rocks throughout the night as high as 6500 feet into the sky,
By morning residents over four miles away said their windows had trembled and they were kept awake by the loud rumbling sound.
In Miyazaki prefecture's Nichinan city, fine ash cast a cloud over the city forcing residents and children heading to school to wear protective masks.
One resident said he even found his car's rear window broken by projectile rocks from the mountain.
"It came like a sudden downpour of rain," he said, adding: "It collapsed the window of my car just as I opened the door to take refuge."
No-one so far has been seriously hurt but many railway lines and highway roads have been closed in the vicinity of the volcano.
At least four domestic flights from Tokyo to Miyazaki have been cancelled due to the volcanic ash.
Local volcanologists expect more activity in the next few days even if no major eruptions are predicted.
James Bond villain lair volcano erupts in Japan
Mount Shinmoe, which featured as the volcano lair of James Bond villain Blofeld in You Only Live Twice, has erupted in Japan, forcing the evacuation of local residents.
Volcanic ash and rocks fell across a wide area of southern Japan on Thursday, forcing nine families living close to the foot of the mountain to evacuate.
The Shinmoe peak caldera spewed hot ash and rocks throughout the night as high as 6500 feet into the sky,
By morning residents over four miles away said their windows had trembled and they were kept awake by the loud rumbling sound.
In Miyazaki prefecture's Nichinan city, fine ash cast a cloud over the city forcing residents and children heading to school to wear protective masks.
One resident said he even found his car's rear window broken by projectile rocks from the mountain.
"It came like a sudden downpour of rain," he said, adding: "It collapsed the window of my car just as I opened the door to take refuge."
No-one so far has been seriously hurt but many railway lines and highway roads have been closed in the vicinity of the volcano.
At least four domestic flights from Tokyo to Miyazaki have been cancelled due to the volcanic ash.
Local volcanologists expect more activity in the next few days even if no major eruptions are predicted.
