After a few days of relatively calmness, the volcano erupted at least 3 times today already. It seems to have begun another cycle of increased explosion frequency, which seem typically to last a few days.
JMA reported that during 27-31 May Sakura-jima's Showa Crater had four explosions, ejecting tephra that fell at most 1.3 km from the crater. Crater incandescence was occasionally detected at night. A small pyroclastic flow traveled 700 m down the E flank.
Sat, 25 May 2013, 16:56
The volcano has been relatively productive with 2-4 explosions daily over the past days. Maximum ash plume heights were reported as 10,000 ft (3 km) (VAAC Tokyo).
Wed, 22 May 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that during 20-24 May Sakura-jima's Showa Crater had eight explosions, ejecting tephra that fell at most 1.3 km from the crater. Crater incandescence was occasionally detected at night. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 23-26 May explosions produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, SW, and W.
Read allFri, 17 May 2013, 11:35
It seems that the latest cycle of increased activity has ended: after several days of intense activity, culminating in larger explosions on 14 and 15 May, the volcano has been "taking a rest" lasting about 2 days. This morning, only a small explosion was recorded.
Wed, 15 May 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that during 13-17 May Sakura-jima's Showa Crater had 13 explosions ejecting tephra that fell at most 1.8 km from the crater. Crater incandescence was occasionally detected at night. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 15, 17-18, and 20-21 May explosions produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.2-3.7 km (4,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and W.
Read allTue, 14 May 2013, 15:46
Explosive activity has picked up again at the volcano. Today alone, several explosions have occurred, two of which of moderately large size with ash plumes reaching 10,000 and 12,000 ft (3 and 3.7 km) altitude. (VAAC Tokyo)
Wed, 8 May 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that during 7-10 May eight explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater ejected tephra that fell at most 1.8 km from the crater. Crater incandescence was occasionally detected at night. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on most days during 8-14 May explosions produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 2.1-4.3 km (7,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Read allFri, 3 May 2013, 14:49
Since 1 May, activity has been increasing again from relatively low levels during the weeks before. Over the past 3 days, several explosions have produced ash plumes rising to 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude and on most days, there have been 3-4 daily explosions (for Sakurajima, this is a large number).
Wed, 1 May 2013, 06:00
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 1-6 April explosions from Sakura-jima generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-3 km (6,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SE. A pilot observed an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. on 3 April.
Read allMon, 29 Apr 2013, 13:10
Over the past days, the volcano has remained at comparably low levels of activity, with on average one vulcanian-type explosion of small to moderate size per day.
Wed, 24 Apr 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that during 22-25 April four explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater ejected tephra at most 1.3 km from the crater. Crater incandescence was occasionally detected at night. Based on a pilot report, the Tokyo VAAC reported that ash plumes drifted NE and SE at altitudes of 2.7-3 km (9,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. during 24-25 April.
Read allSat, 20 Apr 2013, 08:49
After a rather calm phase during 4-17 April, the volcano is gradually wakening up again. Vulcanian-style explosions have begun to occur more "frequently" again, at rates of 1-2 per day. Ash plumes rose to 6-8,000 ft (1.8-2.4 km) altitude during the most recent few explosions.
Wed, 17 Apr 2013, 06:00
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 17 April an eruption from Sakura-jima produced an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. JMA reported that three large eruptions from Showa Crater occurred during 19-22 April and ejected tephra at most 1.3 km from the crater.
Read allSun, 14 Apr 2013, 10:39
After 8 days with no reports about explosions, a small eruption last night made it back into the list of Tokyo VAAC reports of ash plumes. The explosion produced an ash plume rising to 6,000 ft (1.8 km) altitude.
Wed, 10 Apr 2013, 16:00
Since 4 April, no ash plumes / explosions have been reported from the volcano by Tokyo VAAC. This marks one of the longest intervals of relative quiet, i.e. absence of small to moderate vulcanian explosions, in a long time.
Read allWed, 10 Apr 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that occasional very small eruptions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater occurred during 8-12 April. Crater incandescence was detected at night. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 13 April an eruption produced an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.
Read allSat, 6 Apr 2013, 15:26
Vulcanian explosion-type eruptions have been relatively infrequent recently (only 0-2 per day), but some of them produced ash plumes rising as high as 12,000 ft (3.7 km) altitude.
Wed, 3 Apr 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that during 1-5 April three explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater ejected tephra at most 1.8 km from the crater. Crater incandescence was occasionally detected at night. Based on a pilot report, the Tokyo VAAC reported that an ash plume drifted N on 4 April.
Read allTue, 2 Apr 2013, 10:31
A relatively strong explosion occurred 2 hours ago (18:17 Japan time), sending an ash plume to 12,000 ft (3.7 km) altitude, VAAC Tokyo reported.
Sat, 30 Mar 2013, 09:32
The frequency of explosions has been comparably low, with 0-2 events recorded per day. Yesterday and today, two stronger ones occurred that produced ash plumes rising up to 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude.
Wed, 27 Mar 2013, 06:00
Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions from Sakura-jima during 28 March-1 April generated plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.7 km (6,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE. JMA reported that during 29 March-1 April four explosions from Showa Crater ejected tephra at most 1.3 km from the crater.
Read allMon, 25 Mar 2013, 08:04
Our friend Rainer Albiez just sent us the following report from Sakurajima, which is currently in a comparably lower phase of activity:
Read allWed, 20 Mar 2013, 17:20
After some days with less explosions, activity has once again picked up with no less than 6 explosions during the past 24 hours. The largest produced an ash plume rising to 3 km altitude.
Wed, 20 Mar 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that during 18-22 March nine explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater were detected and ejected tephra fell at most 1.3 km from the crater.
Read allMon, 18 Mar 2013, 16:50
The past few days, activity has been calmer with only 1-2 weak to moderate explosions per day (ash plume heights 5-8,000 ft / 1.5-2.4 km).
Wed, 13 Mar 2013, 06:00
JMA reported that 16 explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater were detected during 11-15 March, ejecting tephra that fell at most 1.8 km from the crater. Crater incandescence was detected at night.
Read allTue, 12 Mar 2013, 13:02
The volcano remains in a state of heightened activity, with many and relatively powerful vulcanian explosions. Yesterday alone, it produced at least SIX (6) explosions with ash plumes rising to 7-10,000 ft (2.1-3 km) altitude.
Sat, 9 Mar 2013, 06:29
An unusually high ash plume rising to 15,000 ft (4.5 km) was reported this morning. This suggests a significantly larger than average vulcanian explosion took place.
Wed, 6 Mar 2013, 17:31
Enjoy (and vote for) new photos submitted to our imagepool, including some of photographer Martin Rietze's most recent shots of Sakurajima volcano with spectacular eruption lightning.