Volcano erupts in Japan

This Oct. 3 NASA satellite image shows Typhoon Phanfone in the western Pacific Ocean. A search operation for people missing on a volcano in central Japan was called off Oct. 5, more than a week after a deadly eruption claimed dozens of lives, as an approaching typhoon brought heavy rains.

Rescuers prepare to carry down the body of a newly-found victim at the ash-covered Ontake Shrine near the summit of Mount Ontake on Oct. 4, 2014. Rescuers on Saturday retrieved four more bodies near the summit of the Japanese volcano that erupted last weekend, raising the death toll to 51, authorities said.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel and other rescuers arrive to conduct search operations at the ash-covered Ontake Shrine near the summit of Mount Ontake in central Japan, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Rescuers on Saturday retrieved four more bodies near the summit of the Japanese volcano that erupted last weekend, raising the death toll to 51, authorities said. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK801

Firefighters come down from Mount Ontake at Otaki village five days after the volcano erupted. At least 47 people are now known to have died in Japan's worst volcanic disaster in nearly 90 years, but a number of people remain unaccounted for, with fears some could be entombed in the thick, sticky ash that now coats the peak.

Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force rescuers walking down a slope covered with deep volcanic ash near the peak of Mount Ontake.

Nagoya City firefighters conduct a search operation near the peak of Mount Ontake in central Japan.

Rescuers walk in line after their search operation near the peak of Mount Ontake in central Japan.

Yaeko Arai, left, 85, delivers a box of surgical masks to her neighbor Emiko Miura, 53, as Mount Ontake continues to erupt in Otaki in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. Arai spent the afternoon handing a box of masks to each household as the village distributed more than 400 boxes of masks to 9 districts as a precaution for ash that may fall if eruptions worsen.

Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force's search for victims near the peak of Mt Ontake.

Police rescuers getting off of a Japan Ground Self-Defence Force's helicopter after landing near the peak of Mt Ontake.

Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force's climb toward the peak of Mt Ontake.

Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force carry a victim near the peak of Mt. Ontake on a slope covered with volcanic ash. Forty-seven people were confirmed dead four days after the eruption of the volcano in central Japan, local police said making it the worst such disaster in decades.

Rescuers conduct a search operation near the peak of Mount Ontake in central Japan Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014. Search efforts for people missing since Saturday's surprise eruption resumed Wednesday morning. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK801

Rescuers conduct a search operation near the peak of Mount Ontake in central Japan Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014. Search efforts for people missing since Saturday's surprise eruption resumed Wednesday morning. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK803

Yaeko Arai, 85, carries boxes of Surgical masks on her trolley as Mount Ontake continues to erupt in Otaki in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014. Arai spent the afternoon handing a box of masks to each household as the village distributed more than 400 boxes of masks to 9 districts as a precaution for ash that may fall if eruptions worsen. The Japan Meteorological Agency said levels of toxic gases were too low to cause health problems in distant towns, but cautioned residents that ash could cause eye irritation, particularly among contact lens users, or trigger asthmatic symptoms. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda) ORG XMIT: XKU103

Rescue workers board a defense force helicopter heading for the top of Mount Ontake during a search operation on October 1, 2014 following a September 27 volcanic eruption near Otaki village in Nagano prefecture. Seven more bodies have been found by rescuers combing the peak of a volcano that erupted at the weekend, Japanese state broadcaster NHK reported on October 1. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS ==JAPAN OUT==JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 533966995

An aerial view shows volcanic fume and smoke raising from craters of Mount Ontake, central Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014. Increased seismic activity raised concern Tuesday about the possibility of another eruption at a Japanese volcano where dozens of people were killed, forcing rescuers to suspend plans to try to recover at least two dozen bodies still near the summit. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK802

Security persons stand guard at the entrance of a raod leading to the mountain trail of Mount Ontake in Nagano prefecture on September 30, 2014, three days after volcano Ontake erupted in central Japan. Five more bodies were found near the peak of an erupting Japanese volcano on September 29, as rescuers suspended their search because of the growing danger from toxic gas. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUTJIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 533924586

epa04425925 A handout picture taken on 28 September 2014 and released on 01 October 2014 by the Tokyo Fire Department shows firefighters and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members in their rescue effort on Mount Ontake, between Gifu and Nagano prefectures, in central Japan. According to media reports on 01 October, ten more bodies were found near the peak of the volcano. The latest find could bring the death toll to 46, the highest from a single eruption in the country since detailed records began after World War II. EPA/TOKYO FIRE DEPARTMENT / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES ORG XMIT: FRA08

epa04425910 A handout picture taken on 28 September 2014 and released on 01 October 2014 by the Tokyo Fire Department shows firefighters and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members rescuing a climber on Mount Ontake, between Gifu and Nagano prefectures, in central Japan. According to media reports on 01 October, ten more bodies were found near the peak of the volcano. The latest find could bring the death toll to 46, the highest from a single eruption in the country since detailed records began after World War II. EPA/TOKYO FIRE DEPARTMENT / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES ORG XMIT: FRA02

epa04425923 A handout picture taken on 28 September 2014 and released on 01 October 2014 by the Tokyo Fire Department shows firefighters rescuing a climber on Mount Ontake, between Gifu and Nagano prefectures, in central Japan. According to media reports on 01 October, ten more bodies were found near the peak of the volcano. The latest find could bring the death toll to 46, the highest from a single eruption in the country since detailed records began after World War II. EPA/TOKYO FIRE DEPARTMENT / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES ORG XMIT: FRA10

In this Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 photo released by Tokyo Fire Department, firefighters carry a hiker trapped in the summit area of Mount Ontake during Saturday's initial eruption in central Japan. A dozen more bodies were found Wednesday, Oct. 1 near the ash-covered summit of the Japanese volcano as searches resumed amid concern of toxic gasses and another eruption. (AP Photo/Tokyo Fire Department) EDITORIAL USE ONLY ORG XMIT: TOK132

In this Sept. 28, 2014 photo released by Nagoya City Fire Dept., Nagoya City firefighters uses a gas analyzer to check toxic volcanic fumes next to a Buddha statue near the summit of the Mount Ontake in central Japan. Increased seismic activity raised concern Tuesday about the possibility of another eruption at a Japanese volcano where dozens of people were killed, forcing rescuers to suspend plans to try to recover at least two dozen bodies still near the summit. (AP Photo/Nagoya City Fire Dept.) EDITORIAL USE ONLY ORG XMIT: TOK109

In this Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 photo released by Nagoya City Fire Dept., Nagoya City firefighters, in orange, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel climb the ash-covered slope to the summit of Mount Ontake for their rescue operation of missing hikers in central Japan. Increased seismic activity raised concern Tuesday, Sept. 30 about the possibility of another eruption at the Japanese volcano where dozens of people were killed by Saturday's initial eruption, forcing rescuers to suspend plans to try to recover at least two dozen bodies still near the summit. (AP Photo/Nagoya City Fire Dept.) EDITORIAL USE ONLY ORG XMIT: TOK113

A military helicopter leaves a temporary landing site for a resque mission on Mount Ontake in Otaki, Nagano prefecture on September 29, 2014. Japanese rescuers Spetember 29 resumed a grim operation to recover more bodies after 31 people were believed killed in a volcanic eruption, as survivors told of seeing hikers die when tonnes of ash and rocks thundered from the sky. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGIKAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 533903985

Dense white plumes of gases and ash are spewed out from the summit crater of Mount Ontake, central Japan, Monday afternoon, Sept. 29, 2014. Japanese soldiers managed to bring down eight more bodies by helicopter from the ash-blanketed peak of a still-erupting volcano on Monday, before toxic gases and ash forced them to suspend the recovery effort in the early afternoon. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK810

An aerial view shows mountain lodges with heavily damaged roof top in the erupted Mount Ontake, central Japan, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. Japanese soldiers managed to bring down eight more bodies by helicopter from the ash-blanketed peak of a still-erupting volcano on Monday, before toxic gases and ash forced them to suspend the recovery effort in the early afternoon.(AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK806

epa04422924 A handout picture taken and released on 29 September 2014 by Japan's Defense Ministry Joint Staff shows Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) members rushing out of a helicopter after it landed on the Mount Ontake, between Gifu and Nagano prefectures, in central Japan. Six more people were confirmed dead on 29 September bringing the number of dead to 10 among the 36 bodies found near the peak of the volcano that erupted on 27 September as at least 63 people were injured. EPA/JAPAN'S DEFENSE MINISTRY JOINT STAFF / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES ORG XMIT: FRA23

An aerial view shows rescue workers searching for missing people in the erupted Mount Ontake, central Japan, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. Japanese soldiers managed to bring down eight more bodies by helicopter from the ash-blanketed peak of a still-erupting volcano on Monday, before toxic gases and ash forced them to suspend the recovery effort in the early afternoon. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK802

TOPSHOTS Rescue teams climb the ridge of a mountain covered with volcanic ash from Mount Ontake in Nagano prefecture on September 29, 2014. Firefighters, police and troops resumed search operations on a volcano in central Japan after four confirmed fatalities with at least 27 other people feared dead. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 533900125

An aerial view shows rescue workers searching for missing people near mountain lodge with heavily damaged roof top in the erupted Mount Ontake, central Japan, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. Japanese soldiers managed to bring down eight more bodies by helicopter from the ash-blanketed peak of a still-erupting volcano on Monday, before toxic gases and ash forced them to suspend the recovery effort in the early afternoon. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK801

A vehicle (back) loaded with dead bodies, that were retrieved by helicopter from the summit of the Mount Ontake, leaves a park in Otaki village, Nagano prefecture on September 29, 2014. Firefighters, police and troops resumed search operations on a volcano in central Japan after four confirmed fatalities with at least 27 other people feared dead. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGIKAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 533897829

An ambulance departs from the Otaki entrance point as Mount Ontake continues to erupt for the third day in Otaki village, in Nagano prefecture, Japan, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. Mount Ontake erupted shortly before noon at perhaps the worst possible time, with at least 250 people taking advantage of a beautiful fall Saturday to go for a hike. The blast spewed large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky, blotted out the midday sun and blanketed the surrounding area in ash. Rescue workers have found 30 or more people unconscious and believed to be dead near the peak of the erupting volcano in central Japan, local government and police said Sunday. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda) ORG XMIT: TOK102

TOPSHOTS This handout picture taken by Joint Staff on September 28, 2014 and released on September 29 shows Japan's Self Defense Force soldiers and rescue workers searching for survivors and missing climbers on the ash covered top of Mount Ontake at Nagano prefecture, one day after Japan's volcano Ontake erupted in central Japan, which straddling Nagano and Gifu prefecture. The grisly operation resumed to recover bodies after at least 31 people were believed killed when a Japanese volcano erupted, as survivors tell of people dying in front of them as tonnes of ash and rocks thundered from the sky. AFP PHOTO / JOINT STAFF---EDITORS NOTE---HANDOUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / JOINT STAFF" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTSJOINT STAFF/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 533900133

TOPSHOTS This aerial picture taken on September 28, 2014 shows a helicopter of Japan's Self Defence Force lifting a survivor from volcanic ash covered top of Mount Ontake at Nagano prefecture, one day after Japan's volcano Ontake erupted in central Japan, which straddling Nagano and Gifu prefecture. Rescuers rushed to help dozens of hikers stranded on an erupting volcano in central Japan with six people believed to be buried under ash and dozens injured. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUTJIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 533863159

Firefighters and members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces conduct a rescue operation at a cabin near the peak of Mount Ontake as plumes of smoke billow in central Japan, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Mount Ontake erupted shortly before noon Saturday, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash. Rescue workers on Sunday found more than 30 people unconscious and believed to be dead near the peak of an erupting volcano, a Japanese police official said. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK822

Firefighters and members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces prepare to rescue climbers near the peak of Mount Ontake in central Japan, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Mount Ontake erupted shortly before noon Saturday, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash. Rescue workers on Sunday found more than 30 people unconscious and believed to be dead near the peak of an erupting volcano, a Japanese police official said. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK818

Firefighters and members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces conduct a rescue operation at an ash-covered cabin, center left, near the peak of Mount Ontake in central Japan, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Mount Ontake erupted shortly before noon Saturday, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash. Rescue workers on Sunday found more than 30 people unconscious and believed to be dead near the peak of an erupting volcano, a Japanese police official said. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: TOK813

Dense plumes are spewed out from Mount Ontake as the volcanic mountain erupts in central Japan.

Rescue workers carry a climber rescued from Mount Ontake into an ambulance, in Kiso, Nagano prefecture in central Japan.

Rescuers help an injured person on Mount Ontake in central Japan. An estimated 40 people were stranded at mountain lodges overnight, many injured and unable or unwilling to risk descending 10,062-foot mountain on their own.

Climbers descend Mount Ontake, Sunday morning, a day after an eruption. Rescue workers have found 30 or more people unconscious and believed to be dead near the peak of an erupting volcano.

An injured climber, center, is helped by a firefighter, left, after descending Mount Ontake in Gero, Gifu prefecture.

Plumes of smoke and ash billow from Mount Ontake as it continues to erupt in central Japan, Sunday.

A helicopter of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force hovers over Mount Ontake to rescue climbers around the peak of the mountain on Sept. 28.

Rescue workers search for missing climbers and survivors atop Mount Ontake.

Climbers flee down Mount Ontake as the volcano erupted on Saturday, Sept. 27.