Shinmoedake Volcano Erupts in Japan

‘More violent eruptions could take place’, say scientists.

Officials in Kyushu, southern Japan, have imposed a mile-wide safety cordon around Mount Shinmoedake after the volcano started erupting and blasting out plumes of ash.

However, the measures have not stopped some keen amateur film makers from risking their safety by shooting footage such as the video above for internet fame.

The eruptions (there have been six since last week) are visually impressive, but have so far been relatively small. The government has evacuated some residents living in high-risk areas to emergency shelters. But many more have decided to stay at home, protecting themselves from the ash with facemasks and umbrellas.

So far only one woman has been reported injured: a 92-year-old who was badly cut when an eruption shattered the window panes of her local hospital.

Scientists at the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) say that, due to the build up of subterranean

Plumes of ash are sent into the sky by Sinmoedake volcano

pressure, the magma dome inside Shinmoedake has grown by 590 metres since the eruptions began and could produce lava flows if the blasts continue.

Meanwhile, vulcanologists at Kagoshima University have noted that the pattern of the recent explosions resembles that of a major eruption which occurred 300 years ago. “More violent eruptions could take place” they warned.

By Tilly Michell