• Increased seismicity and gas emissions at Meakandake volcano, Hokkaido, Japan

    The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) raised the Alert Level for Meakandake volcano in Hokkaido, Japan, from 1 to 2 at 06:20 UTC (15:20 JST) on September 15, 2025, after an increase in seismicity near Ponmachineshiri Crater. From September 16 to 23, eruptive activity continued with 27–50 daily volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and white steam-and-gas plumes rising 200–800 m (656–2 625 feet) above the crater rim. Access within 500 m (1 640 feet) of the crater remains restricted, affecting parts of Kushiro City and Ashoro Town.

  • Explosive eruption at Shinmoedake blankets parts of Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures with ash, Japan

    A strong explosive eruption occurred at Shinmoedake volcano, part of the Kirishima volcanic complex on Kyushu Island, Japan, at approximately 15:37 JST (06:37 UTC) on July 3, 2025, sending an ash plume up to 6.7 km (22 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.). The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had raised the volcanic alert to Level 3 on June 27, following increased volcanic unrest.

  • Mount Shinmoedake erupts for first time since 2018, Japan

    A moderate eruption occurred at Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishimayama volcano group in Kyushu, Japan, at approximately 16:37 JST (07:37 UTC) on June 22, 2025. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported an ash plume rising 500 m (1 640 feet) above the crater rim. The alert level remains at 2, with a 2 km (1.2 miles) exclusion zone around the crater.