He Sakurajima volcanolocated in the prefecture of Kagoshimasouthwest of Japanstarred in a explosive eruption during the early hours of Sunday, November 16, generating an impressive column of smoke and ash that reached up to 4,400 meters highaccording to informed the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The Japanese meteorological authorities once again paid attention to this area, which is one of the most monitored in the country due to its volcanic activity constant.
A Kagoshima prefectural official announced that were not reported injured in structural damage.
For its part, the meteorological agency released a forecast of ash fall for several nearby areas, including Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Miyazaki. Nails 600 personas They live within a four kilometer radius around Sakurajima.
«In areas where a quantity is expected moderate ash fallPlease take measures to protect yourself, such as using umbrellas or masks and making sure to drive slowly,» he announced.
With a alert level 3 out of 5 and whose crater has been prohibited from approaching since 2016, the authorities They restricted access to the crater to avoid risks, especially in the face of expulsion of volcanic rocks that reached 1.2 kilometers from the eruptive center.
Sakurajima volcano is located in Kagoshima prefecture, southwestern Japan. Photo: Video capture
A more powerful rash than usual
The event occurred in Minamidake del Sakurajima craterprecisely at 00:57 (local time), as reported by the JMA.
The ash column reached an unusual height —one of the highest in more than a year— and quickly caught the attention of experts and residents due to its magnitude.
According to the meteorological observatory, this is the first eruptive activity recorded since October 18 of last year.
In this new episode, we observed volcanic rock fragments flying at a great distance, although, fortunately, no pyroclastic flows were detected (those dangerous rapid lava rivers).
Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupted several times on Sunday. Photo: video capture
The latest records of Sakurajima
This volcano is not just any mountain. Sakurajima is one of the most active in Japan and its eruptive history is legendary since Its eruptions have been documented since the 8th century and had tens of thousands of explosions over the decades.
Since 1955, its activity has been almost constant: it is calculated 100 to 200 explosions per yearwhich makes it one of the most monitored volcanoes in the world.
The JMA and other institutions maintain ashfall forecast maps and they warn of small rock fragments that can fall even several kilometers from the crater.
Precisely, its proximity to the city of Kagoshima, just a few kilometers away, makes each eruption a vital issue for local residents.
Even so, it is not necessary to implement an evacuation plansince protective structures, such as shelters and wallsare well prepared to withstand these events.
