Japan's iconic Mount Fuji has finally received its first snowfall of the season, ending one of the longest snow-free periods in 130 years of recorded history.

The event, eagerly anticipated by locals and scientists alike, was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite mission on November 7, 2024, just a day after the Japan Meteorological Agency's Shizuoka branch first reported snow on the mountain.

The delayed snowfall has raised concerns about the impacts of climate change on Japan's highest peak.

Typically, Mount Fuji dons its white cap by early October, but this year's snowfall arrived more than a month later than usual. The previous record for the latest first snowfall was set on October 26 in both 1955 and 2016.

The Sentinel-2 satellite, part of the European Space Agency's Earth observation program, provided a unique perspective on this significant event.

Equipped with a high-resolution multispectral imager, Sentinel-2 captured detailed images of Mount Fuji's newly formed snowcap57. These images not only serve as a visual confirmation of the snowfall but also provide valuable data for scientific analysis.

The delay in snowfall follows one of Japan's hottest summers on record, highlighting the potential link between rising temperatures and changes in seasonal patterns.

While meteorologists caution against drawing direct conclusions about climate change from a single event, the trend of later snowfalls on Mount Fuji in recent years has sparked discussions about long-term environmental shifts.

The return of snow to Mount Fuji has been met with relief and excitement across Japan.

The mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of national pride, attracts millions of visitors and has been a source of inspiration for artists for centuries.

As Earth observation satellites continue to monitor Mount Fuji and other iconic landmarks, they provide crucial data for understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on our planet's most cherished natural wonders.

Source: India Today