"If you never climb Mt. Fuji, you’re a fool, and if you climb it more than once, you’re a crazy fool," or something like that, goes the Japanese proverb. By the looks of this image taken by NASA’s Landsat 7 satellite, you wouldn’t know the infamous volcano from a vole-hole.
But in fact, Mt. Fuji towers 2.34 miles above sea level (about 12,300 feet) in Japan’s Fuji Five Lakes area. A popular tourist destination, Mt. Fuji is a prized destination for members of the Shinto religion who worship the Sun Goddess Amaterasu by watching the sunrise from the summit.
Yes, we’re talking about a volcano, but don’t hold your breath for these intrepid climbers. Mt. Fuji has been dormant for nearly 300 years. Still, the volcano’s sheer height makes for a mighty hike, and it is an average 68 degrees (F) cooler at the top than at the base.
Mt. Fuji is known for its lovely, nearly symmetrical mark on the skyline. But its outer serenity belies the complexity beneath: The geologic wonder is actually made up of three superimposed volcanoes. In fact, a careful observer might notice irregularities in the silhouette that reveal this overlap.
For those of us … er … those of you who suffer a mortal fear of heights, there’s no need to scale Mt. Fuji’s rocky slopes to witness its grandeur. Try a virtual panorama instead.
