• 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 up to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level accompanied by volcanic lightning. This is the strongest eruption at Sakurajima since 2020.

  • Rapid growth of newly-formed island near Iwo Jima, Japan

    On November 1, 2023, a new island was born approximately 1 km (0.62 miles) off the southern coast of Iwoto Island, Japan, following intense volcanic activity. This latest addition to the Ogasawara island chain, now nearly merging with Iwoto, was first identified by military personnel stationed there.

  • Increased seismicity at Mount Ontake, Alert Level raised, Japan

    Increased seismicity detected under Mount Ontake this week forced the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to raise the volcano's Alert Level from 1 to 2 — the highest since August 21, 2017. The last eruption of this volcano took place in 2014. It was a powerful…