Moment volcano spews ash and smoke 14,400ft into the air – sparking warnings
This is the moment a volcano in southern Japan erupted in the early hours of Sunday morning, spewing ash and smoke 14,400ft into the air and prompting a warning over ashfall.
Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, erupted before dawn, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Footage shared online shows the terrifying moment the volcano in Kyushu erupted, sending a plume of dark ash into the sky, resulting in forks of lightning in the background.
In one video, the spark of a bright orange explosion can be seen to the left of the crater, before the billowing cloud of smoke rises.
According to reports, there was no damage in the area surrounding the volcano.
But the weather agency has forecast ashfall in part of Kagoshima prefecture, where the volcano is located, and neighbouring Miyazaki prefecture.
They have warned locals to take precautions to protect themselves from ash, saying: ‘In areas where a moderate amount of ashfall is expected, please take measures to protect yourself from ash, such as using umbrellas or masks, and make sure to drive slowly.’
The agency has kept its alert level unchanged at three on a scale of five, which restricts access to the mountain.
In one video, the spark of a bright orange explosion can be seen in the crater
Footage shared online shows the terrifying moment the volcano in Kyushu erupted, sending a plume of dark ash into the sky
Huge plumes of ash could be seen shooting into the air in the early hours of Sunday
Sakurajima has been active since 1955, and the volcano has been in an almost constant state of eruption ever since
Sakurajima has been active since 1955, and the volcano has been in an almost constant state of eruption ever since.
Thousands of small explosions happen every year, throwing ash and rock to heights of up to a few kilometres above the mountains.
Small eruptions were last seen with volcanic plumes of up to 9,842ft high in May of this year, which disturbed local air travel.
There were also eruptions in February 2024, February 2023, July 2022, and October 2020.
A few thousand residents live around Sakurajima, with a number of schools, shrines and shops on the island.
The tourist destination is known for its local pottery made from volcanic ash, and produce including the Sakurajima daikon radish and Sakurajima komikan orange, which are grown in volcanic soil.
