Sakurajima – In Japanese translation, the term means “cherry blossom island.” The active stratovolcano Mount Sakurajima erupted on Aug. 18, blowing hot ash 5,000 meters high over the central part of Kagoshima, Japan, reports UPI on Aug. 19. The eruption produced the highest debris plume since 1955.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the city of Kagoshima, located on Japan’s Kyushu Island, was coated with ash, forcing residents to remain indoors or wear masks. Thus far, there have been no reports of injuries.
Lava flow a half mile long accompanied the ash plume, which also sent large volcanic rocks hurtling into the air.
Kagoshima was once an island to itself, until a powerful eruption in 1914 from Mount Sakurajima caused lava flow to connect the island to the mainland, turning it into the peninsula it is today.
Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. According to Yahoo! News, the Sakurajima Volcano Research Center has been monitoring the volcano since 1960, and reports there have been 7,300 eruptions in the past 45 years.
