Ura-Sabaku Desert

The area covered with volcanic ash and scoria on the northeast side of Mt. Mihara is the "Ura-sabaku Desert". Izu Oshima is a windy area and the south-west wind blows often, so every time there is an eruption, a thick layer of ash falls on the north-east side of the crater. Even during the period of non-eruption, strong winds and rainwater constantly move the surface of the earth, making it difficult for plant seeds and shoots to establish themselves, thus preserving the black desert landscape for a long time. In the past, volcanic gases from the crater were also a factor in preventing the establishment of plants, but these have ceased to be emitted since the early 1990s.

---

Location Information