The number of recorded explosions . . . declined from 35 in February to 21 in March . . . . The explosions often ejected large amounts of lapilli onto the flanks. At [KLMO], March ash accumulation totaled 934 g/m²; 15 explosion sounds were heard and 19 air shocks were felt there during the month.

An explosion on 27 March at 1252, accompanied by a loud sound and strong air shock, ejected an ash cloud that rose more than 4,000 m above the crater. Flank lapilli fall was heavy, breaking windshields of two cars at the E foot of the volcano, and the air shock cracked two windows at a hotel.

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.