Strongest explosive eruption at Sakurajima volcano since 2020, Japan
A strong eruption took place at Sakurajima’s Minamidake crater at 09:33 UTC (18:33 LT) on February 14, 2024, producing a thick black ash column that rose to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level. The eruption was accompanied by spectacular volcanic lightning. This is the strongest eruption at Sakurajima since 2020.
The Kagoshima Meteorological Office reported rocks flying for a distance of 1.3 km (0.8 miles) from the crater, adding that no pyroclastic flows were generated.
There were no immediate reports of injuries and damage to buildings.
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasted volcanic ashes to fall in parts of Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures.
The Alert Level remains at 3. Residents and tourists are urged not to approach the volcano.
The Aira caldera, situated in the northern section of Kagoshima Bay, is home to the Sakurajima volcano, renowned as one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Approximately 22 000 years ago, the eruption of the massive Ito pyroclastic flow led to the formation of the caldera, measuring 17 km x 23 km (10.6 miles x 14.3 miles).
During the early Holocene, the smaller Wakamiko caldera was formed in the northeastern part of the Aira caldera, alongside several post-caldera cones.
The construction of Sakurajima started around 13 000 years ago on the southern edge of the caldera, creating an island that eventually connected to the Osumi Peninsula following the significant explosive and effusive eruption in 1914.
Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ceased roughly 4 850 years ago, subsequently shifting to the Minamidake where eruptions have occurred frequently. Since the 8th century, these eruptions have consistently deposited ash over Kagoshima city, which is situated merely 8 km (5 miles) across Kagoshima Bay from the volcano’s summit. The largest eruption recorded in history occurred during the years 1471 – 76.
References:
1 VA ADVISORY for Sakurajima volcano, Japan – Tokyo VAAC – 09:54 UTC on February 14, 2024
2 Sakurajima volcano erupts – Japan Today – February 15, 2024
3 Sakurajima – Geological summary – GVP
Featured image credit: ZAIHO (stillshot)
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