Strong explosive eruption at Sakurajima volcano, Japan

A strong explosive eruption was registered at Sakurajima volcano, Japan at 04:58 UTC on July 20, 2024.

At 05:40 UTC, the plume was reaching 4.8 km (16 000 feet) above sea level and was moving NE, according to the Tokyo VAAC Volcanic Ash Advisory issued at 06:06 UTC.

Volcanic ash is continuously observed in satellite imagery, the center reported at 14:00 UTC.

The eruption produced multiple shockwaves, clearly visible in the videos below:

#Sakurajima Volcano #Kagoshima, Japan, 20.07.2024, 13:59 local time, 8x speed
source: Japan Ministery of transportation pic.twitter.com/LKcPQsg7le

— Rita Bauer (@wischweg) July 20, 2024

Nandenko Weather Live Camera #Sakurajima
13:59 local time, 8x speed
special thanks to https://t.co/HxcbvUOmPH for streaming this pretty cam.
source: https://t.co/sLFjIFtDg4 pic.twitter.com/kqHM9vIhpS

— Rita Bauer (@wischweg) July 20, 2024

Eruptions of similar strength took place at the volcano on July 14 and 17.

#Sakurajima Volcano #Kagoshima, Japan, 14.07.2024, 18:18 local time, 8x speed powerful eruption source: ZAIHO https://t.co/YnWtDxhW5A pic.twitter.com/WKZ9nLY3Qw

— Rita Bauer (@wischweg) July 14, 2024

This is Sakurajima’s 24^th eruption since the start of the year.

Featured image: Eruption at Sakurajima volcano, Japan on July 20, 2024. Credit: ZAIHO (stillshot)