Update: At Least 31 People Feared Dead After Japan Volcano Erupts

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Update: At Least 31 People Feared Dead After Japan Volcano Erupts

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Sunday September 28, 2014 @01:28AM from the natural-disaster dept.

An anonymous reader writes "More than 30 people may be dead in a volcanic eruption in central Japan, the nation's second natural disaster in the past month. Nagano prefecture posted on its website that about 30 people had heart and lung failure, the customary way for Japanese authorities to describe a body until police doctors can examine it. At least four of the victims were being brought down from Mount Ontake on Sunday afternoon, one day after the volcano erupted."

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No doubt... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 01:31 · Score: -1, Flamebait

We'll now get to see the Japanese looting stores, mugging each other, and sitting on their asses waiting for whitey to come bail them out...
Oh, wait....
1. Re:No doubt... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 02:14 · Score: 0
  
  Japan owns nearly a trillion of US debt. Whitey be waitin on them.
2. Re:No doubt... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 02:19 · Score: 0
  
  Did that happen when Mt St Helens exploded?
3. Re:No doubt... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 03:03 · Score: 0
  
  That doesn't mean anything since the US could just say "fuck you" and not pay any back. What are they going to do about it?
4. Re:No doubt... by Ol+Biscuitbarrel · 2014-09-28 03:37 · Score: 1
  
  Have you ever driven up to Mt St Helens? There's nothing to loot except the Bigfoot museum.
5. Re:No doubt... by PPH · 2014-09-28 04:13 · Score: 1
  
  Then the exchange rate for the dollar drops through the floor because nobody wants to hold them as a reserve currency anymore. Bank capital held in dollars becomes nearly worthless and lending seizes up, probably much worse than in 2008. When the economies finally recover, contracts for foreign goods and resources will probably be settled in Euros, Rubles or Renminbi.
  
  --
  Have gnu, will travel.
6. Re:No doubt... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 05:08 · Score: 0
  
  Can confirm. Was there not too long after it erupted. Ash was still visible piled up like drifts by some roadsides. One of the side attractions we missed was "See the buried A-frame". A few people were selling fused glass made with ash. We really couldn't get that close with the car. Not much steam or anything was coming out. You looked at this hazy thing in the distance, and you sort of saw something shimmering a bit. Then you went home. The helicopter ride certainly would have made it much more exciting... but I was partly scared for myself, and partly thinking that if anything happened my mother would never forgive my aunt. I was 12 at the time.
7. Re:No doubt... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 05:54 · Score: -1
  
  No, because Mt. St. Helens is not infested with niggers. Duh.
8. Re:No doubt... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 13:56 · Score: 0
  
  That will never happen because everyone knows the USA comes up with all of the good shit.
Liar liar by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 01:36 · Score: -1

Liar liar!
No warning? by jfdavis668 · 2014-09-28 01:36 · Score: 1

I don't think I have ever heard of a volcano erupting without any warning whatsoever.
1. Re:No warning? by JanneM · 2014-09-28 01:44 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  There was some seismic activity for a period of time before it happened - but this is Japan; there's always seismic activity happening. According to interviewed researchers there really was no warning beforehand.
  
  --
  Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
2. Re:No warning? by dbIII · 2014-09-28 02:13 · Score: 1
  
  There was one in Rabaul harbour caught on video by sheer luck a few weeks ago. Not a huge eruption but anyone next to it would have had problems. You could say there was a warning in that everyone knew an active volcano was there but they didn't expect it to erupt suddenly and violently.
3. Re:No warning? by Cley+Faye · 2014-09-28 03:42 · Score: 1
  
  There probably were warnings. But the question is, how important where they, and how long before did they happen. If a magma stream crawled through an earthcrack, if could have triggered minimal seismic activity for 10-15 minutes before the event, which is both too short and too small to be noticed.
  Remember that Japan is located in a very active place regarding underground activities.
4. Re:No warning? by nitehawk214 · 2014-09-28 04:06 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, but will Japan send their scientists to jail for not predicting it?
  
  --
  I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
5. Re:No warning? by angel'o'sphere · 2014-09-28 05:32 · Score: 1
  
  There is no law forcing scientists to predict earth quakes or volcanic eruptions ... so, how smart was your remark?
  
  --
  Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
6. Re:No warning? by Areyoukiddingme · 2014-09-28 06:24 · Score: 2
  
  There is no law forcing scientists to predict earth quakes or volcanic eruptions ... so, how smart was your remark?
  It was a reference to this story where Italy put 7 people, including 6 scientists, in prison for manslaughter for failing to predict an earthquake. There is no law forcing scientists to predict earthquakes or volcanic eruptions in Japan, but there is in Italy.
  It was covered here on Slashdot. Try to keep up.
7. Re:No warning? by WalksOnDirt · 2014-09-28 06:27 · Score: 1
  
  Pretty smart. There were Italian scientists convicted of not warning about an earthquake.
  
  --
  a,e,i,o,u and sometimes w and y (at be if of up cwm by)
8. Re:No warning? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 15:17 · Score: 0
  
  I think they were put in gaol for predicting there would not be an earthquake, which is not quite the same thing. I think it sucks too, by the way, but since nobody is going to read the article...
9. Re:No warning? by angel'o'sphere · 2014-09-28 16:16 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps you should read the articles you link.
  The scientists where well aware of the earth quake! But they did not issue proper warnings! And that *is manslaughter*!
  
  --
  Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
10. Re:No warning? by Christian+Smith · 2014-09-28 23:58 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps you should read the articles you link.
  The scientists where well aware of the earth quake! But they did not issue proper warnings! And that *is manslaughter*!
  According the article, the scientists were well aware of the tremors that preceded the major earth quake, but as Italy is seismically very active anyway, didn't see any cause for concern of the tremors over and above all the other trremors Italy gets. And as none of them were alive in the 14th, 15th and 18th century (for which I doubt accurate, detailed seismic accounts are kept) they had no previous data on which to base their findings other than the ongoing seismic activity.
  The article points to nothing else other than a travesty of justice.
11. Re:No warning? by angel'o'sphere · 2014-09-29 03:00 · Score: 1
  
  Erm, that issue was months long in the european press.
  Yes the scientists new that a quake is imminent, they even published stuff about it in magazines but they failed to inform the mayour of the towns in question or any other official organizations.
  And that is if I'm not mistaken even clearly mentioned on the article linked before.
  Regarding tremors, there are clear patterns indicating a soon to happen quake. More modern approaches use measure 'glow' of stone under stress, or electric fields.
  
  --
  Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
12. Re:No warning? by petermgreen · 2014-09-29 04:21 · Score: 1
  
  The scientists were well aware of the small quakes. The prosecution alledged that they should have known that this meant an elevated risk of a big quake and that their downplaying of said risks was sufficiently negligent to ammount to manslauter. The court agreed with the prosecution and convicted them but the sentances were apparently suspended until appeal.
  http://rt.com/news/italy-jail-...
  Did the court convict because they took a detatched view and found the people truely negligent or was their verdict colord by rage and the need to find a scapegoat. That is why we have appeals.
  Unfortunately I can't seem to find any information on whether the appeal was successful, a failure or still in-progress.
  
  --
  note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register
They're dead Jim! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 01:52 · Score: 1

They found 31 bodies this morning. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-mount-ontake-eruption-in-japan-surprises-locals/
1. Re:They're dead Jim! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 12:08 · Score: 0
  
  The volcanoes of the many, versus the volcanoes of the few.
wow - this is so tech by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 02:03 · Score: 2, Insightful

Has this website turned into CNN?
1. Re:wow - this is so tech by Trepidity · 2014-09-28 02:16 · Score: 2
  
  Natural-phenomenon news is one of those things that isn't a recent /. change. Random example.
  
  --
  10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
2. Re: wow - this is so tech by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 02:41 · Score: 1
  
  Nah, if it was CNN they would have blamed it on global warming
3. Re: wow - this is so tech by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 03:15 · Score: 0
  
  You should apologize for that sarcasm, RACIST!
4. Re: wow - this is so tech by rubycodez · 2014-09-28 04:43 · Score: 1
  
  Volcanoes cause a portion of global warming, that is an undisputed fact.
5. Re: wow - this is so tech by angel'o'sphere · 2014-09-28 05:43 · Score: 2
  
  Neither are volcanoes a source of global warming, nor was that ever a fact under dispute.
  Volcanoes are a source of global cooling. Sigh ... what do youngsters like you learn in school in our days?
  
  --
  Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
6. Re: wow - this is so tech by armanox · 2014-09-28 15:41 · Score: 1
  
  Shouldn't the appropriate term being "Volcanoes can cause climate change"? Or how about Volcanoes mess stuff up, sometimes really big (see P-Tr Extinction event and Siberian Traps)
  
  --
  I'm starting to think GNU is the problem with "GNU/Linux" these days.
7. Re:wow - this is so tech by turp182 · 2014-09-29 01:08 · Score: 1
  
  No, the comment moderation here is much better...
  Anyway, I need to run, I've got an article about how to lower my auto insurance since I don't drive more than 40 miles per day (apparently it's a secret).
  
  --
  BlameBillCosby.com
8. Re: wow - this is so tech by rubycodez · 2014-09-29 16:12 · Score: 1
  
  "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally, Marty"
  in the early 20th century, a less than normal amount of volcanism was responsible for a warming trend during that period.
  Also, I'm undoubtedly older than you, kid.
9. Re: wow - this is so tech by angel'o'sphere · 2014-09-30 05:08 · Score: 1
  
  Well, statistically the chance is: you are not odler than me :D
  And no, there never really was a volcano responsible for global warming.
  The idea that volcanos would spit out CO2 or in CO2 in such masses that it is relevant is debunked since half a century, minimum.
  It was a no brainer anyway: where should a volcano get the CO2 from?
  Hm, a volcano could be penetrating a coal layer ... perhaps that could lead to CO2.
  Nevertheless typical gases emitted by a volcano lead to cooling, not to warming.
  
  --
  Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
Hardly unexpected if it erupted only 7 years ago by JoeyRox · 2014-09-28 02:25 · Score: 4, Informative

Science already knows that not all eruptions produce tell-tale precursors.
in other news by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 02:31 · Score: 1

154,889 other people died around the world today.
(source http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/xx.html, outdated, broken link)
Ban guns! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 02:33 · Score: -1

Naturally.
1. Re:Ban guns! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 04:23 · Score: 1
  
  You have got it backwards. The Japanese have already banned guns, which is why they couldn't defend themselves against the volcano.
2. Re:Ban guns! by rubycodez · 2014-09-28 04:42 · Score: 1
  
  false, Japan allows those who have passed the hunter's licensing exam to own guns.
3. Re:Ban guns! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 05:11 · Score: 1
  
  You have got it backwards. The Japanese have already banned guns, which is why they couldn't defend themselves against the volcano.
  No guns? They are screwed when the giant lizard arrives.
4. Re:Ban guns! by angel'o'sphere · 2014-09-28 05:34 · Score: 1
  
  Guns in the sense of hunting rifles are not what most gun laws are about, e.g. like owning and carrying a 6 shot colt/revolver around with you.
  
  --
  Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
5. Re:Ban guns! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 07:01 · Score: 0
  
  You know who else carried guns? Nazis.
  Volcano to Godwin in 5 posts!
6. Re:Ban guns! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 07:13 · Score: 0
  
  Don't worry, they have a stock of biplanes and a flying turtle stashed away for when that happens.
active volcano? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 03:27 · Score: 0

just read that the volcano erupted without warning. wow Even Mount St. Helens in Washington gave a few months of waring with earthquakes and smoke plumes.
1. Re:active volcano? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 22:18 · Score: 0
  
  As far as volcanic eruptions go, this one was pretty small--nothing like the blow-off-half-the-mountain spectacle that was Mt. St. Helens. However, even a small eruption is a catastrophe if you're anywhere near one.
Suddenly afraid of zombies by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 03:42 · Score: 0

I'm having a hard time getting started this morning. I read the Headline thinking post volcano people were afraid of zombie attack. Disappointing article. Get it now.
HAARP by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 03:48 · Score: -1

This is the new millenium, baby! The technology for setting off these volcanos by releasing pressure deep within the tectonics is alive and well. And you better believe someone has their thumbs on the buttons somewhere. Pulsing extremely low radio waves directed below these gigantic mountains will reak havoc and as it is no secret, kill. It is the willingness of governments and rogue entities as well as the cheap availability of dipole antenna arrays that can bring many to play and make many suspicious whenever another earthquake rumbles and volcano erupts around planet Earth. Of course, these happen in nature, and that is exactly the beauty and treachery that those who play with this technology enjoy secretively at their fingertips. HAARP (highly active auroral research project) is an abomination against mankind and nature and is another destructive tool in the ever growing warfare weapons toolpouches of nations.
1. Re:HAARP by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 10:42 · Score: 0
  
  -1 yeah slashdot/ news for nerds stuff that matters.. Who is moderating this stupid website? WAY TO GO
I believe that was sarcasm? by s.petry · 2014-09-28 04:04 · Score: 1

First, I see all deaths as negative things so am not trying to belittle the loss of any lives. That said, I believe that the person you responded to was missing a sarcasm tag. We have gotten much better at detecting volcanic activity ahead of an event, but not always, and the severity of the event is always a big question mark. I remember reports about bulging at Mt. St. Helen that had scientists giving out warnings of another eminent eruption for about a year. I used to check a watch site they had set up with camera feeds directly to the internet (site may still be active?). Seems like it became a scenario of the boy crying wolf, so people started ignoring the warnings after a time.
We have had other volcanic events occur without warning, and this very well could be the case here. (Minutes of seismic activity as a warning is not really a warning for those on the volcano). Obviously tragic for anyone on the volcano at the time of the eruption, but not unheard of.

--
-The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.
Don't anthropomorphize Science. by Anonymous Coward · 2014-09-28 06:30 · Score: -1

Don't anthropomorphize Science.
It hates that!
California style by Tablizer · 2014-09-28 09:34 · Score: 1

Sue the volcano

--
Table-ized A.I.
Wrong place at the wrong time. by NetNinja · 2014-09-28 10:08 · Score: 1

Sayonara.
First... by Polo · 2014-09-29 08:46 · Score: 1

First Fukushima, now Mount Ontake?
We should push for more stringent regulation of these kinds of disasters.