The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that volcanic activity at Kuchinoerabujima had been declining since mid-August. The number of shallow volcanic earthquakes that had been frequent since the beginning of April, with most epicenters located near Furudake Crater, and few near Shindake Crater (just N of Furudake), have declined. The Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-5) at 1100 on 18 October due to the decreased seismicity. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions were at low levels. The public was warned that ejected blocks and pyroclastic flows may impact areas within 1 km of both craters and within 2 km of Shindake.

Geological Summary. A group of young stratovolcanoes forms the eastern end of the irregularly shaped island of Kuchinoerabujima in the northern Ryukyu Islands, 15 km W of Yakushima. The Furudake, Shindake, and Noikeyama cones were erupted from south to north, respectively, forming a composite cone with multiple craters. All historical eruptions have occurred from Shindake, although a lava flow from the S flank of Furudake that reached the coast has a very fresh morphology. Frequent explosive eruptions have taken place from Shindake since 1840; the largest of these was in December 1933. Several villages on the 4 x 12 km island are located within a few kilometers of the active crater and have suffered damage from eruptions.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)