Sakurajima Island Volcano Erupts in Kagoshima; Volcanic Lightning Observed

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:32 JST, October 24, 2023

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.