Fiery spectacle, large volcanic ash column after Mount Sakurajima eruption, Japan
After several weeks of low to no activity, Sakurajima returned to its normal eruptive behavior with a strong explosion on November 13, 2018.
The volcano erupted in a fiery spectacle, belching out a massive column of volcanic ash 4 km (13 120 feet) above sea level, The Asahi Shimbun reports. This is 3 km above crater summit (9 800 feet).
The eruption occurred at around 15:45 UTC, November 13 (00:45 JST, November 14) at the mountain’s Minamidake summit vent.
This is the first time that the active volcano in southern Kyushu has spewed smoke of 4 km or higher since an eruption on July 16. It marks a third such eruption this year.
JMA maintains Alert Level 3 for the volcano since February, meaning the mountain is closed off.
Featured image credit @kamome_6D
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