During August, 20 explosions (with a maximum ash cloud height of 3,000 m on the 23rd) were recorded . . . . A monthly total of 2,307 g/m² of ash was deposited 10 km W of the crater.

On 28 August at 0230, a large explosion ejected many blocks to the middle flank of the volcano. Twenty lightning flashes were seen in the volcanic cloud. Two car windshields were broken by lapilli 4 km from the summit and two blocks, roughly 60 cm across, fell 3 km S of the summit. No eruption-related damage had been reported since 1 May.

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.

Information Contacts: JMA.