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Mt. Fuji's Delayed Snowfall: A Climate Change Indicator
Mount Fuji's record-late snowfall highlights climate change's impact on snowpacks globally.
English
United States
Climate ChangeLifestyleJapanGlobal WarmingSnowMountains
Japan Meteorological AgencyClimate CentralKofu Local Meteorological OfficeUniversity Of MarylandThe Associated Press
Karen Prestegaard
- What is the volcanic history of Mount Fuji?
- Mount Fuji, a World Heritage Site, last erupted in 1707. While the recent late snowfall is noteworthy, it's important to remember that the mountain is an active volcano, though its last eruption was over 300 years ago.
- Are other mountains experiencing similar snowpack reductions?
- Other mountains globally are also experiencing snowpack loss at alarming rates. Mount Kilimanjaro and the Andes mountains are cited as examples of this concerning trend due to climate change.
- What is the significance of the recent snowfall on Mount Fuji?
- Mount Fuji's snowcap reappeared on November 6th, 2024, breaking a 130-year-old record for the latest snow arrival. This delay is attributed to unusually warm temperatures in Japan during the summer and fall months.
- What are the likely causes of the delayed snowfall on Mount Fuji?
- The record-late snowfall on Mount Fuji is likely connected to climate change. Higher-than-average temperatures persisted into October, and this unusual warmth was amplified three times by human-caused global warming according to Climate Central.
- How might other factors have contributed to the lack of snow on Mount Fuji this year?
- The lack of snow on Mount Fuji this year may have been exacerbated by high ocean temperatures causing increased precipitation that washed away any snow that did fall. This is consistent with broader trends of reduced snowpacks in the Northern Hemisphere.