The observation system of geothermal waters and climate for prediction of volcanic hazards at the foot of the Niigata Yakeyama Volcano

We obtained facilities for monitoring of geothermal waters and climate observation supported by the Grant-in-Aid of Niigata University and built up the observation systems in November 2000 at two stations of Sasakura-onsen and Yakeyama-onsen located at the foot of the Niigata Yakeyama Volcano. The main purposes of this observation are. (1) to catch any signals in relation to volcanic eruptions, (2) to predict various volcanic hazards on and after volcanic activities such as volcanic mudflow and debris flow. In particular, it is most probable that volcanic mudflows occur in snow-covered area caused by rapid snowmelt on volcanic activities. We have observed temperatures of geothermal waters and climatic condition such as atmospheric temperature, precipitation, snow cover and weight, etc. since November 2000. The observation data are readily available through online system