Topography
KAGOSHIMA
TOPOGRAPHY
Kagoshima Bay is a large bay opening to the extreme southern tip of Kyushu. At its widest point, at about 31° 20'N, it is 12.5 n mi wide. The north-south distance is approximately 45 n mi. Except for Sakurajima, there are no other significant topographic features breaking the expanse of the bay itself. Figure V-72 shows the topographic features of Kagoshima Bay and its surroundings.
Sakurajima, an active volcano, is situated in the northern reaches of the bay. During the last significant eruption, it connected itself with the eastern shore of the bay. Current activity is limited to releasing considerable amounts of smoke and ash. It should be noted that this volcano and others on the island of Kyushu from time to time "rumble" as a reminder of their activeness. While Sakurajima does offer the harbor and anchorage protection from winds and rough seas generated by local weather conditions, it can also compound the adverse effects of heavy weather when the area comes under the influence of a tropical cyclone or other storms of equal size or intensity. Sakurajima and the mountains on the western side of the bay present a significant topographical feature that could influence northeasterly winds and produce a localized funneling and strengthening of the winds affecting the harbor area.
A mountain ridge that rises to 4080 ft lies along the eastern side of the bay. To the west of Kagoshima Bay is the aforementioned mountain ridge rising to nearly 2000 ft that gradually becomes rolling foothills and low lying areas to the south with Mount Kaimon rising from the southern tip of Kyushu at the western entrance to the bay.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/japan/kagoshim/text/sect3.htm
