The Japan Meteorological Agency has declared this Sunday, July 24, the maximum alert level and the mandatory evacuation of the populations near the ‘Sakurajima’ volcano, after having erupted and seeing how the cloud of smoke and ash rose from the volcano .
The country has raised its emergency alert level to the maximum, five, and urged residents to evacuate after the volcanic eruption on the western island of Kyushu. Volcanic stones have been observed ejected more than 2.5 km from the volcano, according to the state broadcaster NHK, hence the mandatory evacuation of citizens from the closest towns.
The agency warned residents to be on the lookout for volcanic ash and debris flow that “may occur during rains depending on future ashfall conditions.”
“Keep in mind that the window glass may break due to the large vibration of the air caused by the explosion,” the agency said. “Please do not enter dangerous areas according to the instructions of the local government.”
One of the busiest in Japan
According to NASA, Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan, having erupted several times in recent decades. In 2019, it spewed ash 5.5 km high.
Most of the city of Kagoshima is across the bay from the volcano , but other residential areas within about 3km of the crater may be ordered to evacuate, NHK said.
Officials said the Sendai nuclear power plant , located about 50 kilometers from the volcano, does not appear to have been affected by the eruption.
The volcano is located in Kagoshima Prefecture in the far south of Japan, known as the “Naples of the eastern world.” 600,000 people reside there.
The team analyzed surface deformation in and around the caldera and volcano to characterize magma supply conditions and how these can be used for eruption forecasting and hazard assessment. The buildup of magma could cause the volcano to repeat its deadly 1914 eruption, which killed 58 people and caused widespread flooding in Kagoshima. The deadly 1914 eruption had a volume of about 1.5 cubic km. From then on, it would take about 130 years for enough magma to build up for another similar-sized eruption, the scientists warned.
