Sakurajima Volcano Erupts, Sending Ash Plume to 4,400 Meters

The Sakurajima volcano, located in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu, experienced a significant explosive event early Sunday morning, November 16, 2025. The eruption propelled a column of volcanic ash and smoke to an altitude of 4,400 meters, or over 14,400 feet, according to confirmation from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). This plume height represents the most substantial recorded since an eruption that occurred in October 2024.

The initial, powerful blast originated from the Minamidake summit crater at approximately 12:57 a.m. local time, with subsequent activity noted around 2:30 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. Sakurajima is classified as one of the world's most active volcanoes, a stratovolcano situated near the southern edge of the Aira Caldera. In response to the elevated ash cloud, the JMA issued advisories for ash fall across Kagoshima and adjacent Miyazaki prefecture, extending warnings to Kumamoto prefecture as well.

Authorities urged residents to take protective measures against the fallout, including the use of umbrellas and face masks outdoors, and to exercise caution when driving on ash-covered roads due to reduced visibility. Despite the dramatic vertical reach of the ash cloud, the official volcanic alert level remained at 3 on the five-point scale. This status restricts access to the immediate crater area but does not mandate a general evacuation, a level consistent with the normal operating environment for locals accustomed to the volcano's persistent activity since 1955.

Geologically, the volcano began forming approximately 26,000 years ago, following the massive eruption that created the Aira Caldera roughly 29,000 years ago. While the current event did not immediately report injuries or structural damage, large volcanic rocks were ejected as far as the mountain's fifth station, approximately 1.2 kilometers from the crater. The persistent ashfall has created logistical challenges, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 30 flights in and out of Kagoshima Airport due to safety concerns regarding visibility and the risk ash poses to aircraft engines.

Continuous monitoring by the JMA remains in effect, with officials noting that further eruptions are plausible in the immediate future. The volcano's history dates back to its first recorded eruption in A.D. 708, with explosive activity at the Minamidake crater being nearly continuous since 1955. This latest high-altitude plume serves as a potent reminder of the geological forces shaping the Kyushu landscape, necessitating ongoing vigilance from surrounding communities and scientific observation teams.