Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period
… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).
… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)
… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)
… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)
Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor.

Eruption at Asosan, the first since October 2016 , Japan

Posted by Teo Blašković on April 16, 2019. Watchers.news

The Japanese Asosan volcano erupted at 09:28 UTC (18:28 LT) on April 16, 2019. It was its first eruption since October 8, 2016. The Alert Level was raised to 2 on April 14.

At one point, the volcanic ash reached 200 m (656 feet) above the crater (1 792 m / 5 880 feet above sea level), but the Japan Meteorological Agency said the eruption was not continuing as of 10:00 UTC.

Volcanic earthquakes accompanied by a large volume of volcanic gas at the volcano started intensifying at about 13:30 JST on April 14, forcing JMA to raise the Alert Level from 1 to 2.

Entry within 1 km (0.62 miles) of the No. 1 crater of the Nakadake peak was restricted by local authorities.

The last major eruption at the volcano took place on October 8, 2016. It produced a column of ash up to 11 km (36 000 feet) above sea level and sent large boulders down the slopes of the volcano.

Ash rained down on cars, houses and roads in the city Aso and was reported as far as 320 km (200 miles) from the crater.

Farmers reported that some vinyl greenhouses where tomatoes and asparagus were being grown 6 – 8 km (4 – 5 miles) away from the crater had been broken by ash and small rocks.

A window was also cracked by a falling rock at an Aso youth center about 5 km (3 miles) away from the crater.

This was the first explosive eruption at the volcano since 1989. It came 6 months after a series of earthquakes shook Kumamoto Prefecture.

Geological summary

The 24-km-wide Asosan caldera was formed during four major explosive eruptions from 300 000 to 90 000 years ago. These produced voluminous pyroclastic flows that covered much of Kyushu. The last of these, the Aso-4 eruption, produced more than 600 km3 of airfall tephra and pyroclastic-flow deposits. A group of 17 central cones was constructed in the middle of the caldera, one of which, Nakadake, is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. It was the location of Japan’s first documented historical eruption in 553 AD.

The Nakadake complex has remained active throughout the Holocene. Several other cones have been active during the Holocene, including the Kometsuka scoria cone as recently as about 210 CE. Historical eruptions have largely consisted of basaltic to basaltic-andesite ash emission with periodic strombolian and phreatomagmatic activity. The summit crater of Nakadake is accessible by toll road and cable car, and is one of Kyushu’s most popular tourist destinations. (GVP)

Featured image credit: Hondo Kyoto University, VolcanoYT