Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Geography
Why in News?
Recently, Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupted at Minamidake summit crater, spewing a 3.4 km ash plume in its first major event since December 2025.
- It is one of Japan's most active volcanoes.
- Location – Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, Southern Japan.
- Type – Stratovolcano (composite cone with steep sides and explosive eruptions)
- Geological Setting – Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, formed by subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.
- Nearby City – Kagoshima (4 km away), making it one of the world’s most closely monitored volcanoes.
- History
- Continuous activity since 1955, with frequent eruptions.
- Major eruption in 1914 buried villages and connected the island to the mainland.
- Known for pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and heavy ash fall affecting Kagoshima city.
- Hazards
- Local – Ash deposition, respiratory health risks, crop damage.
- Toxic gas emissions – Carbon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide.
- Regional – Aviation hazards due to ash clouds.
- Global – Potential climate impact if sulfur dioxide emissions are significant.
- Monitoring
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) – Seismic, deformation, and gas emission monitoring.
- Preparedness – Conducting evacuation drills and creating hazard maps for Kagoshima residents.
- Mitigation – Ash dispersal forecasts for aviation safety.
Global Rankings by Volcanic Activity – Indonesia (55), Japan (40), United States (39), Russia (27) and Chile (19).
Reference
The Hindu | Sakurajima Volcano
