crisis in August 2015." A group of scientists led by Dr Dominique Remy used Synthetique Aperture Radar (SAR) to detect levels of inflation of Aira Caldera over the Kokubu urban district. They observed a change in the pattern of Kokubu's surface. Through a model of the deformation field of the caldera, it is predicted there is "a maximum volume increase of 203 x 106m3 between 1995 and 1998." They deduced an inflation of approximately at the centre of the caldera and in the south urban area of Kokubu. Flora and fauna The plants near Sakurajima regrow after eruptions. The Japanese bay trees and Japanese black pines are two species which grow furthest away. These plants are able to repopulate; however they cannot withstand the debris and pumice after an eruption. Eurya japonica and Alnus firma can be found in the middle ground away from the peak. They are able to grow back from an eruption and withstand its destruction more than the vegetation furthest away. Japanese Pampas grass and knotweed are located closest to the volcano. They respond quickly after an eruption and form a meadow of mosses and lichens during regrowth. Nevertheless, It takes many years for the forest to regrow. This enables people to observe the changes of vegetation from the different eruptions in different eras. Kagoshima Bay (Kinko Bay) is home to much wildlife; including 1000 different species of fish, a population of dolphins, as well as rare creatures such as the Satsumahaorimushi tube worm. Rare minerals exist on the sea bottom with hydrothermal vents including volcanic chimneys. References Volcanoes of Kyushu VEI-7 volcanoes Calderas of Kyushu Submarine calderas Pleistocene calderas Active volcanoes Supervolcanoes Volcanoes of Kagoshima Prefecture Paleolithic Japan