The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 24 February-2 March. Nightly crater incandescence was visible in webcam images. An explosion at 1924 on 24 February generated an ash plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim and drifted S, and ejected large blocks 500-700 m from the vent. On 26 February sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly higher than average at 1,500 tons per day. Eruptive events at 1037 on 27 February and at 1100 on 2 March produced ash plumes that rose 1-1.3 km above the crater rim and rose up and drifted NE, respectively. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to stay 1 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)