Aso City is planning to restart sightseeing tours to the Mount Aso Nakadake Crater. The eruption warning has been reduced to level 1, but with access still controlled and the dangers of a live volcano still very real, any expeditions will have to be carried out with portable gas detectors. The Aso Volcano Disaster Prevention Association does not want people back around the crater until the existing gas detectors, which were covered by the pile up of volcanic ash and debris during last October’s eruption, have been recovered. In contrast, as the season starts to change, local tourism companies are keen to get things back up and running. As the gas detectors and safety fences are in the process of being restored, the city has proposed that participants should be given gas masks and accompanied by mountaintop observers equipped with portable detectors. A small trial group will be given the go ahead as long as those involved accept full responsibility. The Mount Aso Gas Safety Measures Committee of Specialists will be convening to discuss issues surrounding the safety of any such proposals. Source: Kumanichi Shinbun, 3/28
Photo: Aso City Hall FB
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