Japanese volcano erupts, Level 3 alert issued on Suwanosejima

A volcano on the remote Japanese island of Suwanosejima erupted on Saturday, prompting authorities to issue a level 3 volcanic alert and restrict access to nearby areas. 

The eruption, which began around 0:22 AM local time, originated from the island's Otake Crater, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). While no injuries or property damage have been confirmed yet.

❗🌋🇯🇵 - A volcano has erupted on the remote island of Suwanosejima in southwestern Japan, the government said Sunday morning.

No damage was confirmed from the eruption, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing a local police station in Kagoshima prefecture.

The government later… pic.twitter.com/ApAAVRoMP9

— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformantofc) January 13, 2024

As a precautionary measure, the JMA raised the volcanic alert level to 3 on a scale of 5. This means "approaching" danger and restricts entry within two kilometers of the crater rim and four kilometers in specific hazard zones. The agency also urged residents to be vigilant for falling ash and potential mudflows.

UPDATE - Japan Meteorological Agency issues 'volcanic eruption alert' for Suwanosejima, Kagoshima — NHK#volcano #Japan #Japan

Link to article: https://t.co/roU6POLrod

— JapanNews24 (@NihonNews24) January 13, 2024

Suwanosejima, located roughly 300 kilometers south of Kagoshima in southwestern Japan, is a known active volcano with a history of eruptions. The most recent major eruption occurred in 2020, and smaller explosions have been observed periodically since then.