Talk:Aequalitas et Aequitas (Map Game)/@comment-26247925-20170301205142

FREAK NATURAL DISASTER!

In the early 21st century, Japan was among the most geologically energetic regions on Earth, with frequent earthquakes and 110 active volcanoes – nearly 10% of the total number in the world. This country was 70% mountainous and positioned on the so-called "Ring of Fire" in a zone of extreme crustal instability at the junction of four tectonic plates: the Pacific, Philippine, Eurasian and North American plates.

At the southwestern corner of Japan was Sakurajima, an active composite volcano (stratovolcano) and former island. The lava flows of an earlier eruption in 1914 had caused the former island to be connected with Osumi Peninsula. This eruption was the most powerful in Japan of the 20th century and generated substantial lava flows that lasted for months. The island grew, engulfing several smaller islands nearby, and eventually became connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge of land. Parts of Kagoshima Bay became shallower, and tides were affected, becoming higher. At least 58 people were killed by the disaster.

Sakurajima lay inactive for the next 44 years. In 1955, it started to become more prominent, with small explosions on a regular basis. This continued into the early 21st century. A number of more significant eruptions began to occur during the 2010s. In August 2015, Japan's meteorological agency issued a level 4 emergency warning, urging residents to prepare for evacuation. This happened again in February 2016.

Less than four miles from the base of the volcano lay Kagoshima, the largest city in the prefecture by some margin. There was increasing concern that a much bigger eruption was due, posing a serious threat to the 605,000 inhabitants of Kagoshima. Research published in September 2016 combined GPS deformation measurements with other geophysical data and 3D computer models, to reconstruct the magma plumbing system under the Aira Caldera – the enormous cauldron-like depression surrounding Kagoshima Bay. This study found that magma was being supplied to the system at a faster rate than was being erupted from Sakurajima, causing the ground to swell as the reservoir expanded below the surface. A volume of 14 million cubic metres was being added each year, equivalent to 3.5 times the size of London's Wembley Stadium.

Based on the rate and volume of magma supply and accumulation below ground, it was calculated that a major eruption would take place at some point between 2041 and 2046.* Sure enough, Sakurajima undergoes a spectacular explosion during this time, the biggest since the 1914 event, with a major lava flow and substantial amounts of ash and debris raining down on the city. Thankfully, preparations have been made for this, minimising casualties and allowing the city to recover more easily.

'''Note that this volcanic eruption is two years later than originally expected. Starring, please deal with this.'''