• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.270-279
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• 2016

This study explained vertical distributions and growth environments for woody vegetation. It had been degenerated by long-term volcanic activity of Sakurajima; vegetation and thicknesses of tephra layers and forest soils were investigated at 5 sites (250-700 m in altitude) with different altitudes localized at the northwestern-northern flanks of Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture. The results in 2015 were compared with the vertical distribution of woody vegetation in 1963, when the volcanic activity of Sakurajima was relatively moderate. Thus, we investigated temporal changes in the vertical distribution of woody vegetation owing to volcanic activity over about 50 years (1963-2015). We indicated altitude decreased, the number of woody vegetation, number of species, sum of cross-sectional area of tree diameter at breast height, Fisher-Williams's diversity index ${\alpha}$, and forest soil thickness increased. However, these values were found to be degenerated when compared to climax forest values, and succession was incomplete. It seems that because the woody vegetation of the flank was affected by volcanic activity for a long time, exposing them to severe growth environments, areas with lower altitudes became distant from the craters of Sakurajima, thereby weakening the effect of volcanic activity in these areas at lower altitudes. a at the same altitudes over about 50 years (1963-2015) decreased by about 31-72%, and the sum of the cross-sectional area in tree diameter at breast heights decreased by about 14-62%. Thus, comparative growth environments for woody vegetation in 2015 were more severe than that of 1963, with respect to tephra layer thickness. In addition, for vegetation succession in the flank of Sakurajima, vegetation restoration should be promoted through the introduction of artificial woody plants covered by symbiotic microorganisms or organic materials.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.503-513
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• 2022

This research investigated the effect of the eruption of Japan Sakurajima volcano on the concentration of ultrafine particle when the north Pacific high pressure exists in the Busan in summer. As a result of analyzing the forward trajectory using the HYSPLIT model, the air parcel from Sakurajima volcano passed through the sea in front of Busan at 1500 LST on July 17, 24 hours after the volcanic eruption. As a result of analyzing the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations in the Busan for two days from July 16 to 17, 2018, the Sakurajima eruption in Japan, it can be seen that there was a high increase in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations compared to the previous day. As a result of analyzing the backward trajectory, the air mass that reached Busan at 1300 LST on July 17, 2018 has moved near the Sakurajima volcano at 1,500 m, 2,000 m, and 3,000 m. The concentration of SO₄^2- in PM_2.5, the concentration of all three stations in Busan showed a sharp increase from 1000 LST on July 17th. Looking at the NH₄⁺ concentration in PM_2.5, it shows a very similar variation trend to SO₄^2-, and the correlation coefficient between the two components is 0.96 for Jangrimdong and Yeonsandong, and 0.85 for Busan New Port. Looking at the NO₃^- concentration in PM_2.5, the same high concentrations as SO₄² and NH₄⁺ were not observed in the afternoon of July 17th.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.481-489
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• 2018

In this study, the succession and stand dimension attributes related to the disaster prevention function of Pinus thunbergii coastal forests were examined after damage from Diplodia tip blight. In 2015, 101 years after the Taisho eruption, field investigations were performed on the vegetation, soil thickness, and pH of surface soil of P. thunbergii coastal forests in western Sakurajima (Hakamagoshi plot) and Taisho lava flows in southeastern Sakurajima (Seto plot). The Hakamagoshi plot had more woody plant species with larger basal areas than that in the Seto plot. The mean age and height, maximal age and height of plant species, and H/D ratio were all larger in the Hakamagoshi plot than in the Seto plot. These results may be explained by the relatively smaller effect of volcanic ash and gas on forests in the Hakamagoshi plot compared to the Seto plot, resulting in a more suitable environment for many plant species. Although P. thunbergii coastal forests in Sakurajima are currently recovering from damages owing to Diplodia tip blight, there has not yet been a sufficient recovery compared to the results from a 1997 study. Furthermore, the results of assessment based on the H/D ratio and abundance of trees in P. thunbergii forests indicate that both regions are not yet effective in disaster prevention. Thus, it is necessary to establish Pinus trees, which can adjust to harsh environments like coastal areas and are resistant to volcanic ash and gas, to enhance the disaster prevention function of P. thunbergii coastal forests in volcanic regions. It may also be helpful to establish coastal forests with ectotrophic mycorrhizal fungi and organic matter coverage. Additionally, it is necessary to ensure the continuous maintenance of stand density and soil quality, and further develop efforts to prevent Diplodia tip blight and promote forest recovery.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.72-79
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• 2010

In this study, the ionic composition of volcanogenically derived particles and their temporal and spatial distributions have been investigated to evaluate the impact of the volcanic eruption on the local ecosystem and residents. To this end, an intensive field study was conducted to measure the size-segregated particulate matters at the east part of Sakurajima in Japan. Fractionated sampling of particles into > $PM_{10}$, $PM_{10-2.5}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ was made by a multi nozzle cascade impactor (MCI). The concentration of various ions present in the size-resolved particles was determined by Ion chromatography. The time dependent 3-dimensional Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion (VAFTAD) model developed by the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) indicated that the sampling site of this work was affected by the volcanic aerosol particles plume. The temporal distributions of sulfate and $PM_{2.5}$ during the field campaign were significantly variable with important contributions to particle mass concentration. The chlorine loss, suspected to be caused by acidic components of volcanic gases, occurred predominantly in fine particles smaller than $10\;{\mu}m$.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.136-146
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• 2017

We selected 6 plots ($100m^2$) located 2.2-3.8 km from Minamidake Crater on the north flank of Sakurajima Volcano. We conducted a field study to investigate the effects of volcanic activity on vegetation succession and surface erosion rate. The results showed that trees growing in plots further from the crater had a greater diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, and age. In addition, these plots had a greater number of woody plants and species, as well as a greater total cross-sectional area at breast height. The Fisher-Williams index of diversity (${\alpha}$) and the proportion of evergreen broad-leaved trees were higher in plots located further from the crater. Vegetation succession in these plots was not at the level of a climax forest. From 1972 to 2015, the timing for active volcano, the depth of volcanic ash layer, the dry density, and the pH of ground surface were lower for plots located further from the crater. Furthermore, the average annual sheet erosion from 1972 to 2015 was also lower for plots located further away from the crater. Overall, plots further away from the crater have a better environment for vegetation growth and a lower dry density of the volcanic ash surface layer. It is thought that lower dry density results in increased soil permeability, which impedes surface flow. In order to prevent debris-flow disasters, caused by mud and rock flow resulting from impaired soil penetrability, it is essential to promote soil development and restore penetrability by artificial vegetation restoration.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.204-208
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• 2010

A scanning imaging spectrograph system was used in this study to retrieve readings of the 2-D distribution of $SO_2$ and BrO around the crater of the Sakurajima volcano in Japan. The measurement was carried out during the daytime on November 2, 2005. Measurements were made at the surface of the site, located 5 km from the Sakurajima crater. One hundred horizontal scans were performed. Each column scanned by the system consists of 64 vertical pixels in order to retrieve the spatial distributions of BrO and $SO_2$ in the plume in terms of slant column densities (SCDs). Measured spectra were analyzed to identify and quantify $SO_2$ and BrO in the volcanic plume utilizing the plume's specific absorption features in the ultra violet region. Two-dimensional BrO and $SO_2$ distributions in SCD were retrieved horizontally covering the upwind, crater and downwind areas, and vertically, including the plume in the center of the scanned image. Both horizontal and vertical dispersions of $SO_2$ SCD from the crater were successfully measured to be from $10^{17}$ to $4.5{\times}10^{18}$ molecules $cm^{-2}$. However, BrO was measured below $10^{15}$ molecules $cm^{-2}$, which is considered its background level.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.259-274
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• 2014

On Aug 18, 2013, Sakurajima volcano in Japan erupted on a relatively large-scale. Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) had used to detect volcanic ash in the surrounding area on the next day of this eruption. The geomagnetic variation has been analyzed using geomagnetic data from Cheongyang observatory in Korea and several geomagnetic observatories in Japan. First, we reconstruct geomagnetic data by principal component analysis and conduct semblance analysis by wavelet transform. Secondly, we minimize the error of solar effect by using wavelet based semblance filtering with Kp index. As a result of this study, we could confirm that the geomagnetic variation usually occur at the moment of Sakurajima volcano eruption. However, we cannot rule out the possibilities that it could have been impacted by other factors besides volcanic eruption in other variation's cases. This research is an exceptional study to analyze geomagnetic variation related with abroad volcanic eruption uncommonly in Korea. Moreover, we expect that it can help to develop further study of geomagnetic variation involved in earthquake and volcanic eruption.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.205-207
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• 2005

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.2121-2127
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• 2014

Analyzing the observational data of volcanic activities around the northern part of Korean peninsula, the odds of volcano eruption increases continuously. For example, the cumulative seismic moment and frequence observed near Mt. Baekdu show a sudden increased values. In this study, predicting the diffusion of volcanic ash for two cases were carried out by using interactive realtime simulator, which was developed during last 2 years as a research and development project. The first case is Sakurajima volcano (VEI=3) erupted in August 2013. The second case is assumed as the volcanic eruption at Mt. Baekdu (VEI=7) under landing circumstance of typhoon Maemi (August 2003) in Korean peninsula. The synoptic condition and ash diffusion for the two cases were simulated by WRF(Weather Research and Forecast) model and Lagrangian dispersion model, respectively. Comparing the simulated result of the first case (i.e., Sakurajima volcano) with satellite image, the diffusion pattern show acceptable result. The interactive realtime simulator can be available to support decision making under volcanic disaster around East Asia by predicting several days of ash dispersion within several minutes with ordinary desktop personal computer.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.527-532
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• 2014

According to the analysis of volcanic observation data around Korean peninsula, the activities of volcano increase continuously. For example, the volcanic eruption of Mt. Sakurajima is an example, and Mt. Baekdu can be another example potentially. In these regards, developing unified system including realtime prediction and 3D visualization of volcano ash are important to prepare the volcanic disaster systematically. In this technical report, an interactive simulator embedding dispersion algorithm and 3D visualization engine is developed. This system can contribute to the realtime prediction of volcanic disaster scientifically.