The Japan Meteorological Agency has just announced an "eruption bulletin" on Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture.



According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, an eruption occurred at Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture at around 11:43 am on the 20th.



The Japan Meteorological Agency is investigating the detailed situation.


Please ensure your safety if you are in the volcano.


Please be aware of future information.

"Eruption Bulletin" is information released when a larger eruption occurs in a volcano that has already erupted.



Please be aware of future volcanic activity.

What is Mt. Aso?

Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture is an active volcano consisting of multiple mountains, and most of the recorded eruptions occur at Mt. Nakadake.



Eruptions have been repeated in recent years, and in 2014, a type of eruption called the "strombolian eruption" was confirmed, in which lava erupted at the Nakadake No. 1 crater for a certain period of time.



In addition, in the eruption in September 2015, it was confirmed that the eruption smoke rose to 2000 meters from the crater, and small pyroclastic flows and large volcanic blocks flew around the crater.



Furthermore, on October 8, 2016, the height of the eruption reached 11,000 meters above sea level as observed by satellite, and the eruption alert level was raised to "3", which indicates mountain entry restrictions.



Since then, volcanic activity has increased from time to time, with eruption alert levels repeating 1 and 2.



On the 13th of this month, the amplitude of volcanic tremors, which are said to indicate the movement of underground hot water and magma, increased, and the Japan Meteorological Agency raised the eruption alert level to "2".

Mt. Aso Past eruptive activity In the past, volcanic blocks killed

In the past eruptions of Mt. Aso, volcanic blocks have killed some people.



In the eruption that occurred in 1953, a large volcanic block flew over a range of several hundred meters, killing six tourists near the crater and injuring more than 90 people.



In addition, in the eruption of 1958, a volcanic block flew about 1 km from the crater, killing 12 people, and in September 1979, an explosive eruption occurred and a large amount of volcanic blocks flew to the northeast side of the crater. Three people have died.



Since 1989, active eruptive activity accompanied by a large amount of volcanic ash and volcanic blocks has continued for more than a year.