Fajarasia.id – Mount Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, erupted again in the early hours of Sunday (Nov 16, 2025), sending a towering plume of ash approximately 4,400 meters into the sky.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the eruption was followed by continuous activity, prompting ash dispersion forecasts for parts of Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures. Authorities confirmed there have been no reports of casualties or property damage.
Details of the Eruption
The explosive event occurred at around 12:57 a.m. local time from the Minamidake crater, producing the tallest ash column since October 18 last year. Large volcanic rocks were also ejected, reaching as far as the fifth observation post. However, local meteorological officials confirmed no pyroclastic flows were detected, keeping the situation under close but stable monitoring.
The alert level remains at Level 3 on a five-tier scale, meaning residents and tourists are prohibited from approaching the crater area, though no widespread evacuation orders have been issued.
A Symbol of Japan’s Volcanic Activity
Mount Sakurajima, located in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan, is renowned for its frequent activity. Once a separate island, it became connected to the Osumi Peninsula on Kyushu following a massive lava flow during the 1914 eruption.
Its regular emissions of smoke, tremors, and minor eruptions have made Sakurajima one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in the country.
