Massive Eruption at Japan’s Sakurajima Volcano Sends Ash 4.4 km High

A powerful eruption has occurred at Sakurajima volcano in Japan’s southwestern Kyushu region, sending a massive plume of ash, molten lava, and smoke nearly 4,400 meters (14,400 feet) into the sky late Sunday night.

Local media reported that ash from the Minamidake crater spread across Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures, prompting authorities to issue safety alerts. The first eruption began at 12:57 a.m. local time, followed by a smaller eruption at 2:28 a.m., which sent ash up to 3,700 meters high.

This marks the first time in 13 months that ash has risen above 4 kilometers, making it one of the most intense eruptions in recent memory. The force of the blast scattered molten lava up to 1.2 kilometers from the crater.

Despite the severity of the eruption, officials confirmed that no casualties have been reported and no dangerous volcanic gases have been detected so far.