After several weeks of low to no activity, Sakurajima returned to its normal eruptive behavior with a strong explosion on November 13, 2018. The volcano erupted in a fiery spectacle, belching out a massive column of volcanic ash 4 km (13 120 feet) above sea level,...
November 16, 2018
A study published recently in Scientific Reports presets geodetic evidence for interconnectivity between Aira and Kirishima magmatic systems in Japan. This is the first study to confirm that radical changes of one volcano in southern Japan were the direct result of...
July 16, 2018
A strong eruption took place from Sakurajima's Minamidake crater volcano at 22:20 UTC on June 15, 2018 (07:20 JST, June 16). The eruption sent ash up to 4.7 km (15 400 feet) above the crater (5.8 km (19 000 feet) above sea level) and produced several pyroclastic...
June 16, 2018
A major eruption occurred at Mount Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan at 22:56 UTC on June 5, 2017 (07:56 JST on June 6). This is the second significant eruption at the volcano in recent weeks. The eruption occured at Showa crater,...
June 06, 2017
Another powerful eruption took place at Japan's Mount Sakurajima at 18:20 UTC on May 1, 2017 (03:20 JST, May 2). The eruption ejected ash up to 4.9 km (16 000 feet) above sea level toward Kagoshima city where it caused significant ash fall. Sakurajima blew its...
May 02, 2017
A powerful explosive eruption occurred at the Showa crater of Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan at 02:01 UTC on April 28, 2017 (11:01 JST). Several smaller eruptions followed. The Japan Meteorological Agency said it is the first such...
April 28, 2017
After 3 calm weeks, Japan's Mount Sakurajima erupted violently at 15:02 UTC on July 25, 2016 (00:02 JST on July 26), spewing ash from its Showa Crater 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level, according to the Tokyo VAAC. The plume was extending to the SW. It was the...
July 26, 2016
After several relatively calm weeks, eruptions have picked up again at Japan's Sakurajima volcano. This time, the center of increased activity is Minamidake crater, Sakurajima's old summit vent, instead of the usual Showa crater. After a gradual increase of...
March 29, 2016
A moderately strong explosive eruption was observed from the Showa crater of Sakurajima volcano, 50 km from the Sendai nuclear station in Japan on February 5, 2016. An ash plume rose to approximately 3 km (10 000 feet) altitude. The explosive eruption occurred at...
February 05, 2016
The risk of a major eruption at Sakurajima volcano remains high and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) maintains alert level 4 (second highest). Alert level of 4 warns residents nearby to prepare to evacuate, as a major eruption could be imminent.The summit of the vo
August 20, 2015
The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the alert level of Sakurajima volcano to 4 out of 5 (prepare to evacuate) on August 15, 2015 after detecting a strong swarm of shallow volcanic earthquakes beneath the Showa crater.The news comes just 4 days after Kyushu Electr
August 16, 2015
Video below was captured by meteorologist Robert Speta of the WestPacWx during the early morning hours of February 3, 2015. Sunrise provided a reddish tint in the ash.Notice lightning at 0:18 min. Video courtesy of WestPacWxTokyo VAAC reports an explosion at 06:55 UTC t
February 04, 2015
Intense explosions accompanied by volcanic ash which is falling on nearby communities are continually observed at Japanese Sakurajima volcano.The Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion at 03:38 UTC today sent volcanic ash up to 2.7 km. Explosion at 09:41 UTC sent ash up 3 km.
January 31, 2015
Following a week of relatively low activity, Japanese Sakurajima volcano (Showa crater/Aira caldera) has become more active again during the past days. A particularly strong vulcanian explosion occurred this morning (October 24) and produced an ash plume that rose up to
October 24, 2014
Japanese Showa Crater of Sakurajima volcano had a series of relatively strong eruptions today. According to Tokyo VAAC, the volcano first erupted at 00:58 UTC on May 23 and ejected a column of smoke and ash up to 3.6 km (12 000 ft) into the air. This is Sakura
May 23, 2014
There is an ongoing battle between the Sakurajima volcano and 50-km-away Sendai nuclear power plant in Kyushu, southwestern Japan. While the operator of the power plant aims to restart its idle nuclear reactors, a new strong eruption b
May 12, 2014
Sakurajima volcano experienced its strongest eruption this year on May 10, 2014. According to the Tokyo VAAC, the eruption started at 04:07 UTC and had a column of ash and smoke up to 5.4 km into the air, extending south.The flow of lava and ash was repor
May 11, 2014
After 13 days of weaker activity, Sakurajima volcano began to erupt more violently on November 23 with a series of powerful explosions. Near-constant ash emissions have been taking place from the Showa crater. Ash plume was sent up to 4.5 km (15 000
November 24, 2013
A spectacular eruption of Sakura-jima volcano sent up its highest plume in recorded history on August 18, 2013, the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory said. Massive eruption started at 07:31 UTC (4:31 pm local time) and spewed cascading column of
August 18, 2013
On July 19, 2013 at 03:08 UTC Sakurajima volcano in Japan produced one of the strongest explosions in over a year, emitting a huge ash cloud that reached around 6 km (20 000 ft). Japan Meteorological Agency didn`t change the Volcanic Alert Level for
July 19, 2013
Strong volcanic activity that started at Sakurajima volcano, Japan on July 7, 2013 still continues. Throughout the night of July 15, 2013 explosions and ash emissions have been occurring with no pause. Thinner an thicker ash plumes were constantly emitted by the
July 16, 2013
Three powerful explosions at 22:05 and 23:58 UTC on June 12, and another at 4:26 UTC on June 13, 2013 announced the awakening of Sakura-jima volcano, Japan from it`s ten day slumber. The latest explosion on June 13, 2013, was especially violent, possibly one of the
June 15, 2013
For several days Sakura-jima volcano in Japan has been relatively calm and inactive. That period is now over as the volcano already erupted at least three times on May 30, 2013. A new cycle of increased explosion frequency seems to have started, and
May 30, 2013
Sakurajima volcano continues to be particularly active. The volcano has been having more than usual frequent and stronger explosions during the past months according to Volcano Discovery.The new powerful explosion occurred on July 24 from the less frequ
July 25, 2012
Local meteorological observatory of Kagoshima warned today of pyroclastic flow and ash deposits from Sakurajima volcano!Japanese volcano in Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, is becoming increasingly active. On Jan, 22 2012 by 20:44, it erupted for
January 23, 2012
Couple explosive eruption have been recorded at Sakurajima volcano in Japan. Sakura-jima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, is a post-caldera cone of the Aira caldera at the northern half of Kagoshima Bay. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow was
October 04, 2011
Strong activity is seen again at Showa crater on Sakurajima volcano. People reporting a few big explosions. For now there is no further information but we bring you a few webcams and earthquake reports from Japan Meteorological Agency. Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory
July 22, 2011
Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center issued an ash warning for Sakurajima Volcano which is considered ‘very dangerous’.Sakurajima (also spelled Sakurashima or Sakura-jima, 桜島 in Japanese) volcano in southern Kyushu is one of the most active volcanoes in the
March 29, 2011