Center for Catholic Education. Michael Graham, S.J., Xavier's President, has committed the University to engaging students intellectually, morally, and spiritually - with rigor and compassion - toward lives of solidarity, service, and success. This is Xavier's Catholic and Jesuit identity and heritage.
On Saturday, Japan's Mount Ontake volcano erupted without warning, surprising several hundred nearby hikers. Plumes of volcanic gas and ash overtook the fleeing hikers and buried nearby lodges and outbuildings. Though most of the people on Mount Ontake that day were able to escape.
Seismologists detected increased seismic and volcanic activity in the region prior to the eruption, but no preparations were made. Mount Ontake is one of Japanâs 110 active volcanoes, and this event is reported to be âthe worst volcanic disaster in Japan for 90 years.â (BBC). Image retrieved from BBCnews.s previously mentioned, Mt. Ontake underwent a phreatic eruption (aka ultravulcanian eruption) which occurs when magma heats ground or surface water. The hydrothermal reaction results in an explosive ejection of steam, water, ash, rock, and volcanic bombs and debris.