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Shimabara Disaster
On November 17, 1990, Mount Fugen began to erupt for the first time in 198 years. A pyroclastic flow on June 3, 1991, caused a devastating disaster, resulting in 40 deaths, 3 missing people, 9 injuries, and damage to 179 houses. The volcanic activity continued for four and a half years.
This tragedy is often considered a man-made disaster compounded by media involvement. Before the major eruption, members of the mass media had gathered at prime filming locations to capture dramatic footage, refusing to evacuate from these areas, which had been designated as danger zones. Sixteen media personnel died, and firefighters and police officers who entered the area to urge them to evacuate were also caught in the pyroclastic flow.
Buried Houses
Next to Road Station “Mizunashi Honjin Fukae,” eleven damaged houses from the mudslide caused by the eruption of Unzen Fugendake are preserved and exhibited.
Mt. Unzen Disaster Museum
The museum, named Gamadasu Dome, displays information about the disaster. “Gamadasu” is a dialect word meaning “to persevere.”
The museum mainly displays the remains, documentary videos, and photos of the disaster caused by the eruption of Mt. Unzen in 1991, along with showcases of the local people’s efforts to recover. You can experience the immense speed of pyroclastic flows by watching a path under the floor, where red light moves rapidly to simulate their movement.
