Japans Sakurajima Volcano Erupts
A violent volcanic eruption was witnessed at the Minami-dake summit of Japan's Sakurajima volcano on July 17, according to confirmation by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The eruption had produced thick plumes of ash that reached up to 3,300 meters (3.3 km) above ground level.
The JMA reported that the area had witnessed a sequence of earthquakes in the days preceding the eruption. The quakes, directly under the summit crater, were some of the first to signal heightened volcanic activity. "Through 11:00 today (18th), Miyakejima's eruption alert level was reduced to 1," the JMA reported in its official statement.
Explosion videos have been shared extensively on social media platforms, including X.
Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has several active volcanoes, one of them being Sakurajima. Though it is near densely populated cities, there were no reported injuries or extensive damage due to the latest eruption by officials.
The Sakurajima volcano itself had erupted in the past on May 15, 2025, causing ash fall in surrounding areas like Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures.
Earlier, on June 17, the alert level on another volcanic island, Miyakejima, was raised to Level 2 owing to heightened seismic activity. That alert meant stricter limits around the crater. Yet, over the last few weeks, seismic disruptions have significantly reduced.
After the July 17 eruption, the JMA has released a new prediction. The agency downgraded the alert level from 2 to 1 and, while stating the volcano is still active, does not right now present a serious threat. However, "a possibility of sudden eruptions inside the summit crater" does still exist, the agency cautioned.
Locals who reside close to the volcano have been asked to remain alert and keep their distance from within 500 meters of the principal crater. Local authorities have also cautioned residents against staying outdoors and moving away from areas that are considered unsafe for possible ash fall and pyroclastic flows.
