Kagoshima, Japan – The Sakurajima volcano on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu erupted multiple times on Sunday, sending a massive plume of smoke and ash soaring as high as 4.4 kilometers (2.7 miles) into the sky. The eruption led to significant travel disruption, with dozens of flights cancelled.
Timeline and Impact
According to the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), the volcanic activity began with an eruption around 1 a.m. local time, followed by two subsequent eruptions later in the morning. This marks the first time in nearly 13 months that an ash plume from Sakurajima has exceeded 4 kilometers in height.
The ashfall had an immediate impact on regional travel. Reports from local media confirmed that 30 flights to and from Kagoshima Airport were cancelled due to safety concerns related to the volcanic ash, which can severely damage aircraft engines.
Ash Dispersion and Warnings
The JMA reported that the volcanic ash was drifting in a northeast direction following the eruptions. The agency issued warnings for ashfall not only in the nearby city of Kagoshima but also in the adjacent Miyazaki Prefecture.
A History of Activity
Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, with frequent eruptions of varying intensity. A significant eruption in 2019 sent ash as high as 5.5 kilometers into the atmosphere. The volcano is located on the southern tip of Kyushu, near the city of Kagoshima.
