A volcano in southern Japan has erupted for the first time in 250 years, prompting authorities to set up a no-go zone around the mountain as it threatens to send large rocks flying as far as two miles away.
Mount Io blasted smoke and ash hundreds of meters into the sky on Thursday, ending a quiet period that has lasted since 1768.
While the explosions have subsided today, experts warn the volcano could still become more active, and could send dangerous debris falling over nearby towns.
Mount Io is one of Japan’s 110 active volcanoes; the country lies within the notorious Pacific Ring of Fire, where much of the world’s earthquakes and eruptions take place
Japan’s Meteorological Agency on Friday expanded a no-go zone to the entire mountain from previously just around the volcano’s crater.
The volcano is part of the Kirishima mountain range on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu. The area is about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
Another volcano nearby also erupted violently in March for the first time in seven years.
‘There is a possibility that (Mount Io) will become more active,’ said Makoto Saito, an official from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), confirming the eruption.
In a televised press conference, he warned residents in the area to stay away from the mountain, part of the Mount Kirishima group of volcanoes, as major ash deposits spread from the crater.
It was the first eruption of the mountain since 1768, the JMA said.
The agency warned that large flying rocks could fall over a three-kilometre (two-mile) radius.
The eruption threw smoke and ash 400 metres (1,300 feet) into the air.
Footage captured by the JMA and local media showed thick white and grey smoke rising from several areas of the mountain.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, adding that the government was ‘taking all possible measures’ to prevent damage and casualties.
The eruption occurred a few kilometres (miles) away from Shinmoedake, which featured in the 1967 James Bond film ‘You Only Live Twice’ and erupted in March.
Japan, with scores of active volcanoes, sits on the so-called Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ where a large proportion of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded.
In January, a Japanese soldier was killed and several other people injured after an eruption near a popular ski resort in northwest of Tokyo.
On September 27, 2014, Japan suffered its deadliest eruption in almost 90 years when Mount Ontake, in central Nagano prefecture, burst unexpectedly to life.
Daily Mail
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