Volcano Eruption Alert: Mt Sakurajima Ejects Large Plume of Ash

Sakurajima ejects  impressive column of ash 5km into the air

The explosive eruption occurred Friday morning producing a large plume of smoke and ash.

Today’s eruption is reportedly the most powerful eruption in recent months.

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan)
Ontake crater
31°35′19″N,  130°39′17″E
Summit Elevation: 1,117 m
Minamidake crater
31°34′38″N, 130°39′32″E
Summit Elevation: 1,060 m

Authorities upgraded the volcanic warning to a “Level 3 (Do not approach the volcano)” on February 5.

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Sakurajima is located in Kagoshima Bay, southern Kyushu, Japan (about 1,100km WSW of Tokyo). The composite volcano has three peaks: Kitadake, Nakadake and Minamidake (southern peak).

Since 1955 the Minamidake crater, has been continually active. The ongoing activity includes strong strombolian to ash explosions at least once and as many as 8 times a day.

Sendai nuclear power station was built about 50km from the volcano, and despite hundreds of recent eruptions, it was restarted on August 11, 2015.

Sakurajima is a post-caldera cone of the Aira caldera, a gigantic caldera in the southern portion of the island of Kyushu. The caldera was formed by a massive VEI 7 eruption (~ 400km³ of ejecta), about 22,000 years ago, “shortly” after the Oruanui eruption of New Zealand’s Taupo Volcano.

Related Links

• Sakurajima Volcano Explodes February 5, 2016
• Sakurajima Volcano ‘Unhappy’ with Sendai Nuke Restart August 15, 2015