Japan Volcano Erupts Sending Plumes of Ash 3.4 Km High

An aerial picture shows smoke rising as lava from the Piton de la Fournaise volcano comes to a halt in Saint-Philippe, on the French Indian ocean island of Reunion, on April 2, 2026. (Photo by Richard BOUHET / AFP)

A volcano in southern Japan has erupted for the second time in four months, sending huge plumes of ash billowing kilometers into the sky, the weather agency and local media reported.

Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, erupted after noon on Saturday, sending ash soaring up to 3,400 meters, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

It was the first major eruption since December 13, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun daily.

The eruption helped ease most of the crustal deformation that had been building up inside the volcano, the meteorological agency said.