Sakurajima Volcano Erupts 3 Times in One Day; Over 30 Flights Affected | WPN World People News

Sakurajima, a volcanic island off the coast of Kagoshima, Japan, continues to experience active volcanic activity. On the 15th, the volcano erupted three times with moderate intensity, with plumes reaching as high as 3,000 meters. Due to the impact of volcanic ash, at least 30 flights were canceled on the 15th and 16th.

Volcanic activity was first observed around 8 PM on the night of the 12th. On the 15th, starting at approximately 7:08 AM local time, three eruptions of moderate or greater scale occurred at the Minamidake summit crater. The eruption lasted more than 17 hours, ending at 4 AM on the 16th. Smoke plumes reached up to 3,000 meters. This marks the first time since November 2019 that Sakurajima has produced continuous volcanic plumes for more than 10 hours.

Due to the ashfall from the ongoing eruptions, 25 flights were canceled at Kagoshima Airport on the 15th, with most of the cancellations occurring after 5 PM. On the 16th, at least 7 more flights were canceled. Airline counters were crowded with travelers seeking to change flights or request refunds.

Meteorological authorities reported that volcanic ash was visible across much of Kagoshima Prefecture and parts of neighboring Kumamoto Prefecture. In the coming days, residents are advised to monitor for any increase in eruption activity and to take precautions such as using umbrellas and wearing masks when going outside to protect their health. Drivers are also urged to proceed slowly on ash-covered roads. Those in areas where small volcanic rocks may fall are advised to move indoors or seek shelter under sturdy roofs.