Japan's Shinmoedake volcano erupts, sending ash plume

A powerful eruption occurred at Shinmoedake volcano in Japan's Kirishima mountain range around 5.23am local time on Sunday, sending an ash plume soaring more than 3,000 meters above the crater, local media reported.

The volcano, located on the border between Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, has been erupting intermittently since June 27. Ash from Sunday's eruption is drifting northeast and could reach as far as Takanabe in Miyazaki prefecture, national broadcaster NHK reported.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that moderate ashfall is expected in Kobayashi and Takaharu in Miyazaki Prefecture, as well as Kirishima in Kagoshima prefecture.

Small volcanic rocks may fall within about 14 kilometers northeast of the crater, according to the JMA.

The agency is maintaining the eruption alert level at 3, advising residents to stay alert for large volcanic rocks within 3 kilometers of the crater and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometers.

(Xinhua)