Mount Fuji, according to Japanese legend, is created during an earthquake in 286.

(Geologists believe that it and the rugged peaks that span Honshu from the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean were created some millions of years ago during the Tertiary Period.

The dormant volcano’s elliptical crater, now approximately two thousand feet/six hundred and ten meters in diameter, was formed less than two million years ago during the Quaternary Period, when great quantities of lava flowed from its center.)

The Hōei Eruption of Mount Fuji starts on December 16, 1707 (23rd day of the 11th month of the year Hōei 4) and ends about January 1, 1708 (9th day of the 12th month of the year Hōei 4) during the Edo period.Although it brings no lava flow, the Hoei eruption releases some eight hundred million cubic meters of volcanic ash, which spreads over vast areas around the volcano, even reaching Edo almost one hundred kilometers away.

Cinders and ash fall like rain in Izu, Kai, Sagami, and Musashi provinces.

In Edo, the volcanic ash is several centimeters thick.

The eruption occurs on Mount Fuji's east–northeast flank and forms three new volcanic vents, named No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 Hōei vents.

The catastrophe develops over the course of several days—an initial earthquake and explosion of cinders and ash is followed some days later with the more forceful ejections of rocks and stones.

Mount Fuji has not erupted since.