Survey Finds No Major Change At Sakurajima Volcano
A weather observatory in southwestern Japan says an on-site survey of the Sakurajima volcano has found no significant changes in the area. The volcano had an explosive eruption on Sunday night.
The observatory in Kagoshima Prefecture says the volcano erupted around 8 p.m. on Sunday, spewing large rocks as far as 2.5 kilometers east from the crater.
The observatory raised its eruption alert level to the highest of five. This is the first time the level-five alert, which requires evacuation, has been issued for Sakurajima.
On Monday morning, the observatory sent a survey team to determine exactly where volcanic rocks have landed and to assess damage.
The team found volcanic ashes in the northern and eastern parts of the volcano but found no remarkable changes. An aerial survey using a helicopter was hampered by clouds over the crater.
Officials warn of more eruptions of a similar scale as crustal movements there indicate the volcano remains expanded even after the eruption.
They are calling on people within 3 kilometers from two craters to stay on alert for large flying volcanic rocks.
They are also warning of possible pyroclastic flows within a radius of about 2 kilometers from the craters.