The Sakurajima volcano in Japan’s Kyushu erupted several times early Sunday, sending ash more than 4,400 meters into the air and forcing dozens of flight cancellations as authorities monitored the ongoing activity.
The explosive eruption occurred around 1:00 a.m. (local time) Sunday in the Minamidake crater. The next two eruptions were at about 2:30 and 8:50.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, it sent a plume rising above 4,000 meters for the first time since October 18 last year.
An ash fall forecast was issued for parts of Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures as the eruption continued after the initial event.
“In areas where moderate amounts of ash are expected, take precautions to protect yourself from ash, such as using umbrellas or masks, and drive slowly,” the agency said.
The agency kept its alert level unchanged at three on a scale of five, limiting access to the mountain.
However, no injuries or damage to buildings were reported. “No damage has been reported,” an official from Kagoshima Prefecture, where the volcano is located, told AFP.
Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, is connected to the Osumi Peninsula of Kyushu, the country’s main southwestern island. It was once an island, but a 1914 lava flow created a land bridge to the peninsula, Kyodo News reports.
Ashfall cancels flights
Local media reported that 30 flights to and from Kagoshima Airport were canceled due to the ash and related reasons.
The JMA said volcanic ash was drifting northeast after the latest eruption and that it expected ash to fall in Kagoshima as well as nearby Miyazaki Prefecture on Sunday.
