TOKYO (Xinhua): A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano in the Kirishima Mountain range occurred around 5.23 am local time on Sunday, sending an ash plume rising over 3,000 metres above the crater, according to local media.
The volcano, located on the border between Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, has been erupting intermittently since June 27. Ash from Sunday's eruption is drifting northeast and could reach as far as Takanabe in Miyazaki Prefecture, national broadcaster NHK reported.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that moderate ashfall is expected in Kobayashi and Takaharu in Miyazaki Prefecture, as well as Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Small volcanic rocks may fall within about 14 kilometres northeast of the crater, according to the JMA.
The agency is maintaining the eruption alert level at 3, advising residents to stay alert for large volcanic rocks within 3 kilometres of the crater and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometres.
A pyroclastic flow is a hot (typically above 800 degrees Celsius), mixture of rock fragments, gas, and ash that travels rapidly (tens of metres per second) from a volcanic vent or collapsing flow front. - Bernama-Xinhua
