Mount Fuji Still Has No Snowfall
For numerous tourists around the world, the “snow – covered peak” of Mount Fuji is an iconic symbol of Japan’s winter allure. Every year, they look forward to witnessing the magnificent sight of the mountain draped in snow. However, this year has presented an extraordinary anomaly – Mount Fuji remains snowless.
Just how unusual is this phenomenon? Since the establishment of the Japan Meteorological Agency 130 years ago, the “snowy top” of Mount Fuji has typically begun to take shape gradually around October 2. Last year, the first snowfall graced the mountain on October 5. But as of early November this year, the long – awaited snow has yet to arrive.
Experts from the Kofu City Meteorological Bureau in Japan have identified a strong connection between the “bald” appearance of Mount Fuji and the abnormally warm climate. This year, Japan endured the hottest summer since 1898. The temperature during the June – August period was a staggering 1.76℃ higher than the average of previous years. Even more concerning, the intense heat persisted until September, effectively blocking the cold air from reaching the island. By October, although the temperature in Japan had decreased, it still remained above the normal levels of previous years. This continuous warmth has, to a certain degree, hindered the formation of snow on the summit of Mount Fuji.
This situation not only disappoints tourists who had planned to admire the winter – clad Mount Fuji but also highlights the significant impact of climate change on one of Japan’s most beloved natural landmarks. As we observe this unusual event, it serves as a reminder of the need to address and understand the consequences of global warming on our environment.
The Strange Crater in Siberia Was Caused by Global Warming
In 2014, a colossal pit with a diameter of approximately 30 meters and a depth of around 50 meters was found on the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia. The sudden emergence of this giant pit has sparked numerous speculations, ranging from meteorite impacts to natural gas explosions. Now, an article published in Geophysical Research Letters has disclosed the enigma of this remarkable structure.
In prior studies, satellite images were utilized to observe the formation process of the giant pit. Essentially, due to the explosion of underground – stored gas, a hole was blasted through the ground, which is the very pit that was discovered. But how did this gas explosion occur? The latest research elaborates on the specific mechanism behind the pit’s formation.
According to researchers, the giant pit is closely linked to climate warming. The soil in the area is not entirely permafrost. The surface soil freezes and thaws repeatedly with the changing seasons. Under the influence of climate warming, these seasonal frozen soils keep melting, and the resulting meltwater infiltrates downward to the surface of the permafrost layer.
As the deep meltwater accumulates continuously, the pressure within the deep soil layer rises steadily, causing cracks to form in the overlying soil. When these cracks reach the soil surface, the methane hydrates stored in the permafrost decompose and rapidly release methane gas, much like ammunition with its fuse ignited, ultimately resulting in an explosion on the ground and leaving behind a pit.
Behind this giant pit lies an environmental threat. In recent years, the warming rate in the Arctic has been more than three times the global average. With the rapid melting of permafrost, the likelihood of giant pits is increasing, and the methane within will also be released into the atmosphere in large quantities, presenting new challenges for global warming mitigation.
In agriculture, we should pay more attention to environmentally friendly farming methods, choose organic fertilizers and pollution-free products as much as possible, and protect the blue planet on which we depend for survival.