JMA reported ongoing activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 20-27 November, with incandescence at the crater observed nightly. Explosions at 1905 on 20 November and 0226 on 21 November produced ash plumes that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted SW. Eruptive events on 22 November produced emissions that rose 1 km and drifted N and E. During an overflight of the crater on 24 November plumes obscured views of Minamidake Crater, though observers noted no changes at the geothermal area at Showa Crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from both craters.

Geological Summary. The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the caldera, along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim and built an island that was joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4,850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent eruptions since the 8th century have deposited ash on the city of Kagoshima, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest recorded eruption took place during 1471-76.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)