EDITORIALS
What a Volcano Created by the Earth's Energy! The mystery of the birth of Showa Shinzan, a national special natural monument, is approached.
In Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, there is a mountain that is known as the "Miracle of Showa. Nearby is Lake Toya, and many people from outside of Hokkaido visit this "Showa Shinzan" as a sightseeing spot. What is said to have happened in such a place during the Showa period? In fact, there was a natural phenomenon that is hard to believe. Let's start unraveling the history.
Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, where the Showa Shinzan is located, was originally a place where field cultivation flourished. The vast wheat fields were suddenly transformed in 1943. An earthquake occurred, and the land was uplifted with an explosion. Over the next four months, earthquakes occurred frequently. The explosions were repeated many times, and the land, which used to be farmland, swelled up.
The cause of the land's uplift was viscous dacite lava that had solidified at the bottom of the earth. The energy of the earth pushed the lava upward, eventually creating a 402-meter-high uplifted volcano. This is how Showa Shinzan was born.
The formation of Showa Shinzan caused the Sobetsu River, which originally flowed through the area, to be dammed up and become a swamp. This was the Shinzan-numa, and now the Shinzan-numa Observation Park has been established, delighting tourists with its seasonal expressions. The uplift also raised the piers and abutments of the former Japan National Railways (JNR) Iburi Line, and the piers can still be seen in the Showa-Shinzan Railway Bridge Remains Park.
In addition, volcanic activity that occurred between 1977 and 1982 also caused crustal movement, which resulted in the collapse of a nearby hospital. The collapsed building and its surrounding area were developed into a volcanic remains park, where they remain to this day. The entire area around Mt. Showa Shinzan has been designated as a "World Geopark" as the "Toyako Usu Geopark," and Mt. Showa Shinzan itself has been designated as a national special natural monument.
It is hard to believe that the earth's energy causes the land to rise. However, Mt. Showa Shinzan still rises in a great shape and emits a cloud of smoke as a splendid proof of such an event.
Why not visit this precious place where you can feel the mystery and dynamism of nature? You will surely feel its overwhelming power.
<Cooperation for this report
Sobetsu Tourism Association
Location: 384-1 Aza-Takino-cho, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido (inside Roadside Station Sobetsu Johokan i)
Phone: 0142-66-2750
Official website: https://sobetsu-kanko.com
Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, where the Showa Shinzan is located, was originally a place where field cultivation flourished. The vast wheat fields were suddenly transformed in 1943. An earthquake occurred, and the land was uplifted with an explosion. Over the next four months, earthquakes occurred frequently. The explosions were repeated many times, and the land, which used to be farmland, swelled up.
The cause of the land's uplift was viscous dacite lava that had solidified at the bottom of the earth. The energy of the earth pushed the lava upward, eventually creating a 402-meter-high uplifted volcano. This is how Showa Shinzan was born.
The formation of Showa Shinzan caused the Sobetsu River, which originally flowed through the area, to be dammed up and become a swamp. This was the Shinzan-numa, and now the Shinzan-numa Observation Park has been established, delighting tourists with its seasonal expressions. The uplift also raised the piers and abutments of the former Japan National Railways (JNR) Iburi Line, and the piers can still be seen in the Showa-Shinzan Railway Bridge Remains Park.
In addition, volcanic activity that occurred between 1977 and 1982 also caused crustal movement, which resulted in the collapse of a nearby hospital. The collapsed building and its surrounding area were developed into a volcanic remains park, where they remain to this day. The entire area around Mt. Showa Shinzan has been designated as a "World Geopark" as the "Toyako Usu Geopark," and Mt. Showa Shinzan itself has been designated as a national special natural monument.
It is hard to believe that the earth's energy causes the land to rise. However, Mt. Showa Shinzan still rises in a great shape and emits a cloud of smoke as a splendid proof of such an event.
Why not visit this precious place where you can feel the mystery and dynamism of nature? You will surely feel its overwhelming power.
<Cooperation for this report
Sobetsu Tourism Association
Location: 384-1 Aza-Takino-cho, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido (inside Roadside Station Sobetsu Johokan i)
Phone: 0142-66-2750
Official website: https://sobetsu-kanko.com
Writer Profile
Hokkaido Sightseeing Turtle Writer Bubu-Neko
I'm Bubaneko, a writer with many connections to sightseeing spots and tourist facilities in Hokkaido. There are many wonderful resources, even the ones we take for granted when we live in Hokkaido. I will be sharing these wonderful attractions of Hokkaido with you.
