Daily Journal

Day 11 | July 28, 2005

Aogashima by helicopter

The team got up early today in anticipation of our 9 am helicopter flight to Aogashima, but when we arrived at the airport we learned to our dismay that the flight had been cancelled. Many rumours later, including one that the volcano was erupting!, the true cause of the cancellation was revealed - fog on Aogashima. All was not lost as the helicopter company informed us that the daily ferry was sailing, in an hour's time! We rushed down to the port only to discover that in fact the ferry was not sailing today. Luckily, the helicopter would make another attempt to fly at 4 pm.

In the meantime, we decided to spend some time walking around Hachijojima looking for potential rock sampling sites but we discovered a shrine instead. Finally, we found sequences of scoria and ash deposits, which, after close inspection, were found to contain precious olivines.

Although fog was still relatively thick in Aogashima, the afternoon helicopter was able to make its flight. In fact, the mayor of Aogashima shared the helicopter flight with us. After an efficient 20-minute trip, the island came into view and through the fog we could see the steep cliffs and the large crater of the island. Upon our arrival in Aogashima, we were fascinated by the local fauna - a stick bug.