Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupts, sending ash over Kagoshima
Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, erupted Monday morning and sent an ash plume about 1,300 meters above its crater. Officials kept a Level 3 alert that bars people from within about 2 kilometers of the crater. Ash was expected to fall on parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki.
One of Japan's most active volcanoes erupted again on Monday. Sakurajima's Minamidake summit crater blew at 9:08 a.m. local time, sending a plume of ash about 1,300 meters, or roughly 4,300 feet, above the crater, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency's Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center and the broadcaster MBC.
The plume drifted to the southeast. Ash was forecast to fall on parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, MBC reported. Authorities kept the volcano at alert Level 3, which restricts access within about 2 kilometers of the crater because of the risk from large flying rocks and possible lava flows. No injuries were reported.
For people in Kagoshima, a city of about 600,000 people across the bay, ash is part of life. Residents sweep it from cars and streets, and the city hands out special yellow bags for collecting it. Heavy ashfall can snarl traffic, close airports for a time and damage crops.
Here is the background. Sakurajima sits in Kagoshima Bay on the southern island of Kyushu. It erupts hundreds of times in many years, usually with small ash bursts. Its largest eruption in modern history came in 1914, when lava flows joined what had been an island to the mainland. That blast killed dozens of people and forced thousands to flee.
Japan sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and has more than 100 active volcanoes. The weather agency monitors about 50 of them around the clock with cameras and seismic sensors.
Visitors can still see Sakurajima safely from viewpoints and ferries outside the restricted zone. Local tourism offices post daily updates on ash and access.
What we know: Sakurajima erupted Monday morning with a 1,300-meter plume, and the Level 3 alert remains.
What we don't: Whether larger eruptions will follow in the coming days.
Where outlets agree Japan's volcanic ash advisory center and MBC both report that Sakurajima erupted Monday morning with a plume about 1,300 meters high drifting southeast.
Where they differ Officials say the current alert level is enough to keep people safe, while some residents worry about the steady toll of ash on health, crops and travel.