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Sakurajima Volcano Eruptions

stratovolcano 1117 m / 3,665 ft
Kyushu, Japan, 31.59°N / 130.66°E
Eruption list: 1955-ongoing, 1954(?), 1950, 1948, 1946, 1942, 1941, 1940, 1939, 1938, 1935, 1914-15, 1899(?), 1860, 1799, 1797, 1794, 1792, 1791, 1790, 1785, 1783, 1782, 1779-81, 1756, 1749, 1742, 1706, 1678, 1670(?), 1642, 1478, 1471-76, 1468, 778, 766, 764, 716-18, 712(?), 708

Eruptions of Sakurajima volcano

2006-2010 Activity: moderate explosions at 1-5 days intervals

Moderate explosions with typical plume heights of around 2 km occured every 1-5 days during most of 2006-10. In 2009, a slight increase of activity was observed. Plume heights of explosions reached a maximum of 5 km altitude (4 km height).

4 June 2006: first eruption outside the summit crater in 58 years

On 4 June 2006, Sakurajima erupted from a small vent outside the summit crater, near or within the crater which erupted the 1946 (Showa) lava flow on the E slope of Minami-dake summit. The eruption continued intermittently until the next morning.

Activity in 2000-2005

Sakurajima returned to low to medium levels of activity, with 150-200 eruptions per year. Occasional stronger explosions, such as on 7 October 2000, caused eruption columns as tall as 5 km above the crater, abundant ash falls, and damage windshields to cars.

Oct - Dec 1999 eruptions

Vigorous activity began in October 1999, marked by lava fountains and large large amounts of ejected ballistic bombs, blocks and lapilli falling as far as 4 km from the crater.

Activity in the 1990s

Compared to the 1980s, activity remained at lower levels at Sakurajima in the 1990, with explosions often occurring only at intervals of several days. Long pauses in explosive activity characterize the year 1995.

Activity in the 1980s

Explosions continue to occur typically one per day or two. Between 1985 and 1987, the activity produces particularly violent eruptions, peaking in November with 3 powerful explosions that cause much damage to cars and houses by impacting volcanic bombs.

Activity in the 1970s

Sarkurajima's activity was characterized by typically one explosion per day. THe largest eruptions produced plumes up to 4 km high, and on several occasions, landing aircraft at Kagoshima airport were damaged when flying through ash.
The eruptions caused no fatalities, but damaged cars, windows and crops in the immediate area around the volcano.
Wed, 27 Mar 2024, 15:00

Aira volcano (Kyushu, Japan) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 20 March-26 March 2024 (Continuing Activity)

JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera's Sakurajima volcano) during 18-25 March. An explosion at 1952 on 18 March produced an ash plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted SE and ejected large blocks 800-1,100 m from the vent. Very small eruptions and nighttime incandescence were observed at the summit crater during other days of the report period. ... Read all
Wed, 20 Mar 2024, 15:00

Aira volcano (Kyushu, Japan) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 13 March-19 March 2024 (Continuing Activity)

JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera's Sakurajima volcano) during 11-18 March with nighttime crater incandescence. Sulfur dioxide emissions were extremely high, averaging 3,100 tons per day on 12 March. During an overflight on 13 March emissions obscured views of Minamidake Crater, though observers noted no changes at the either the Showa Crater geothermal area or around the flanks of both craters. ... Read all
Here's what a typical moderate explosion looks like (3 Oct 2013 Nov 19:33 GMT, or 4 Oct 04:33 ):