Mount Fuji, nestled in central Honshu—the largest of Japan's islands—about 62 miles from Tokyo, is traditionally cloaked in snow for most of the year. However, climate change seems to have made its mark here too. The snow on this iconic Japanese volcano, which began forming about 500,000 years ago—long before the first human walked the earth—typically starts accumulating around October 2 (last year it began on October 5). The snow cover is one of the defining features of this peak, which rises to 12,388 feet and stands as a national symbol for the land of the rising sun.
But this year, due to global warming and unusually warm weather, no snow has been seen on Mount Fuji's slopes or summit, according to Yutaka Katsuka, a meteorologist with the local weather service in Kofu, the capital of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan's Chubu region.
This absence of snow sets a worrying precedent for this UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it's the first time this has occurred since comparative records began in 1894. While there have been two instances of no snow cover in the past—1955 and 2016—it has never happened at this time of year.
"The temperatures in recent summer months were exceptionally high, continuing through September, creating conditions that prevented snow accumulation, a phenomenon not seen in 130 years," Katsuka explained to the French Press Agency, highlighting climate change as a key factor in the delay of snow formation.
Japan's summer was the hottest on record this year, matching last year's levels, and projections suggest that 2024 could be the hottest year yet, owing to extreme heatwaves similar to those affecting much of the planet.
Mount Fuji is typically snow-covered for most of the year, with over 220,000 visitors tackling its steep, rocky slopes during the hiking season from July to September. Many climbers make the ascent overnight to witness the sunrise from the summit.
Mount Fuji holds a revered place in Japanese culture, considered sacred for centuries. Climbing the mountain was a religious ritual, with some sects worshipping it, and many Japanese artists have famously painted it. Its popularity led Japanese authorities to impose entrance fees and visitor limits to reduce the climbing numbers—a measure that successfully decreased the number of climbers. Additionally, Mount Fuji is an active volcano, having erupted around 20 times in Japanese history, with the last eruption occurring between December 16, 1707, and January 1, 1708.
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