Sakurajima Volcano

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