Sakurajima eruption sends heavy ash over Kagoshima City, Japan
An eruption at Sakurajima’s Minamidake summit crater sent heavy ash over Kagoshima City, Japan, on June 7, 2026, with a plume reaching about 1 300 m (4 300 feet) above the crater.
A strong eruption at Sakurajima’s Minamidake summit crater sent heavy ash over Kagoshima City on Sunday, June 7. According to the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory, the plume reached about 1 300 m (4 300 feet) above the crater.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) maintained Volcanic Alert Level 3 for the volcano, which restricts access near the crater. The restriction has been in effect since 20:00 JST on July 27, 2022.
The eruption began at 06:52 LT on June 7 (21:52 UTC on June 6) and continued until approximately 07:55 LT, according to the observatory. Ash drifted toward Kagoshima City, where reduced visibility and ash accumulation on roads, vehicles, bicycles, and exposed surfaces were reported.
Wind direction near Sakurajima shifted later in the day, redirecting the plume eastward toward the Tarumizu and Kanoya areas. New ashfall over Kagoshima City was expected to ease during the afternoon, although previously deposited ash remained susceptible to resuspension.
JMA continues to warn of large volcanic blocks and pyroclastic flows within about 2 km (1.2 miles) of the Minamidake and Showa craters. The agency also warns that volcanic ash and small stones may fall downwind, airblast from explosions can break windows, and lahars remain possible if rainfall remobilizes deposited ash.
Tokyo VAAC advisory issued at 01:38 UTC today reported volcanic ash about 56 km (35 miles) south of Kagoshima Airport (RJFK) at approximately 3 km (10 000 feet) altitude, extending east at 00:43 UTC. An advisory issued at 02:21 UTC reported a 02:06 UTC eruption with ash reaching approximately 2.4 km (8 000 feet) altitude and extending southeast.
Kagoshima Airport’s flight board listed some cancellations and delays on June 7, but the airport and airline sources did not attribute them directly to Sakurajima ashfall.
Featured image: Ash rising over Kagoshima City, Japan, after the eruption of the Sakurajima volcano on June 7, 2026. Credit: Weather News Japan
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