The Japan Meteorological Agency says a volcanic eruption occurred on Sakurajima in southwestern Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday evening.

The agency estimates that imminent massive eruptions from the volcano are unlikely.

Still, the agency has raised its alert level to the highest level of 5. It was applied at Sakurajima for the first time since the system was introduced in 2007.

Officials confirmed an eruption, just after 8 p.m. on Sunday evening, which expelled large volcanic rocks around a distance of 2.5 kilometers.

Kagoshima City officials issued an evacuation order to residents in the towns of Arimura and Furusato, with a population of 51 people in 33 households.

Meteorological Agency officials say more large volcanic rocks could fall in parts of Kagoshima City within 3 kilometers of two craters.

They also say people should be on the alert for pyroclastic flows within a radius of about 2 kilometers.

One agency official said at a press conference that "Volcanic activities of Sakurajima are becoming intense. People in residential areas should be on the highest alert for large volcanic rocks falling nearby." ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH