Japan Sakurajima Volcano Eruption: Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupted multiple times on Sunday. The volcano is located in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan. As per the reports, the plumes of ash and smoke moved up to 4,400 metres (2.73 miles) into the sky. The disaster led to the cancellation of about 30 flights to and from Kagoshima airport due to the volcanic eruption.
Japan Sakurajima Volcano Eruption: When did the eruption happened?
The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) stated that the first eruption happened around 1:00 am local time at the Minamidake crater, followed by further eruptions at 2:30 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. Ash from the volcano drifted northeast, prompting forecasts of ashfall in Kagoshima and neighbouring Miyazaki Prefecture.
Japan Sakurajima Volcano Eruption: No Injuries or Damage Reported
Authorities said there were no injuries or structural damage, even though large volcanic rocks reached as far as the fifth station. The JMA confirmed that no pyroclastic flows occurred, and the volcano remains at alert level three out of five, limiting access to the area. Ash drifted to the northeast, and additional ashfall is expected in Kagoshima and Miyazaki. Sakurajima, on the southern tip of Kyushu, is among Japan’s most active volcanoes; in 2019, it sent ash clouds as high as 5.5 kilometers.
Japan Volcano news: Volcanic Eruptions in Japan in 2025
| Volcano | Date of Eruption / Activity | Ash / Eruption Details | Alert Level | Impacts / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinmoedake (Kirishima) | 22 June 2025 | Plume of ~ 500 m above crater | Level 2, later raised to 3 | • Ash drifted east toward Miyazaki Prefecture • No large volcanic rocks confirmed early on • Later gas emissions rose to ~4,000 tons/day
• Ash contained ~3% fresh magma particles — indicating shift toward magmatic eruption • Flight disruptions reported due to ash |
| Sakurajima (Kyushu) | 16 November 2025 | Plume up to ~4,400 m (4.4 km) | Level 3 | • About 30 flights cancelled (Kagoshima) due to ashfall.
• Volcanic rocks reportedly fell as far as the volcano’s “fifth station” • Ash drifted northeast; possible ashfall in Kagoshima & Miyazaki Prefectures |
Japan Volcano news: What is Volcanic Eruption?
A volcanic eruption happens when pressure builds up beneath the Earth’s surface and molten rock, gas, and ash push their way out through openings in the ground. This can produce lava flows, explosions, ash clouds, or showers of rocks, depending on the type of volcano and the amount of pressure inside it.
Japan Volcano news: Japan More Prone to Eruptions
Japan experiences more eruptions than many other countries because it sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone where several tectonic plates meet and constantly shift. As these plates collide, one plate often slides beneath another, allowing magma to rise and form volcanoes. With more than a hundred active volcanoes, Japan is in a region where this kind of geological activity is very common.
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