Sakurajima Island Volcano Erupts in Kagoshima; Volcanic Lightning Observed

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Sakurajima Island erupts with volcanic lightning at 3:46 a.m. Tuesday

The volcano on Sakurajima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture erupted at 3:46 a.m. Tuesday, sending a plume of smoke 3,400 meters into the air above the crater. This is the second highest eruption this year for the volcano following the 3,600-meter eruption on Oct. 19.

According to the Kagoshima District Meteorological Observatory, volcanic lightning, which is caused by static electricity in volcanic fumes, was observed. Ejected rocks reached as far as the volcano’s fifth station, 1 km to 1.3 km from the crater.