KYUSHU, May 16 (News On Japan) - Explosions and eruptions continued at Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture, with volcanic activity intensifying since May 15. In an early morning eruption before 6 a.m., a plume of ash rose approximately 2,700 meters above the crater.
In Kagoshima City, volcanic ash accumulated on vehicles, and students were seen heading to school under umbrellas to shield themselves from falling ash.
The ashfall has already disrupted air travel, with four flights connecting Kagoshima to Tokyo and Osaka cancelled.
Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, has long been a symbol of both beauty and danger in southern Kyushu. Situated in Kagoshima Bay, it was once an island until a massive eruption in 1914 connected it to the Osumi Peninsula with a lava flow. That eruption, known as the Taisho Eruption, remains the most powerful in modern Japanese history. It lasted several weeks, destroyed hundreds of homes, and caused widespread ashfall across the region. Prior to the eruption, the local population had been evacuated due to signs of seismic activity, and while the death toll was relatively low compared to the scale of destruction, the event reshaped both the geography and the consciousness of the people of Kagoshima.
Historically, Sakurajima has had a pattern of frequent eruptions and activity dating back centuries, with written records describing its eruptions since at least the 8th century. It has long been monitored closely, particularly since the early 20th century, with Japan establishing one of the world’s most advanced volcano observation networks around it. In the decades following the 1914 disaster, Sakurajima entered a quieter phase, but activity picked up again in the 1950s. By the 21st century, minor eruptions and explosive events had become a regular occurrence, making it one of the most closely watched volcanoes in the world.
The people living in the surrounding areas, particularly in Kagoshima City, have learned to coexist with the volcano. Schools conduct regular evacuation drills, residents keep ash-cleaning tools in their homes, and public infrastructure has been designed to withstand repeated ashfall. Despite the risks, Sakurajima is also viewed with a kind of local pride. It has inspired countless artworks, literature, and even tourism campaigns. Its constant presence reminds people of the volatile geological forces that shaped Japan’s islands and continue to influence life today.
Source: TBS
