Sakurajima eruption grounds flights, triggers ashfall warnings
A volcano near Kagoshima city in southern Japan erupted early on Sunday, producing multiple ash plumes that prompted travel disruption and safety advisories.
Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes located on Kyushu island, first erupted at dawn. Two additional eruptions later that morning sent a plume of smoke and ash up to about 4,400 metres (roughly 14,400 feet) into the sky.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) raised the alert to level 3 on a scale of 1–5, a warning that restricts access to the mountain. Authorities reported no pyroclastic flows, injuries or structural damage following the blasts.
With the plume drifting northeast, the JMA forecast ashfall across parts of Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Miyazaki. Residents were advised to take precautions such as wearing masks, keeping windows closed and driving carefully due to reduced visibility and slippery roads.
About 30 flights arriving at and departing from nearby Kagoshima Airport were cancelled for eruption-related reasons, including ash on runways and in the air that can affect aircraft operations.
Background and context
Sakurajima has a long history of frequent activity. Once a separate island, a major 1914 eruption produced a lava flow that created the land bridge linking Sakurajima to the Osumi Peninsula. In February last year an eruption sent ash more than 16,000 feet into the air and hurled large rocks up to about a mile from the crater. About six years ago, a powerful event sent ash as high as roughly 5,500 metres.
The latest explosions mark the first time in 13 months that Sakurajima’s plumes have topped 4,000 metres. Japan’s string of volcanoes is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region shaped by shifting tectonic plates and frequent seismic activity.
Safety note: Follow local authority updates and the JMA for the latest warnings and guidance. Avoid mountain areas while the alert level remains elevated.
