Mount Otake, a volcano on Suwanosejima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, erupts Dec. 28, spewing rocks and other debris into the early morning sky. (Provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Fukuoka Regional Headquarters)
TOSHIMA, Kagoshima Prefecture A volcano on a small island here with an 80-strong population erupted early Dec. 28, spewing large rocks and other debris into the sky, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to ban the entry to the mountain for the first time.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, according to Kagoshima prefectural authorities.
Mount Otake, a 796-meter volcano on Suwanosejima island in Toshima village, has been particularly active in recent days and entry to the area around the crater remained banned under level 2 of the agency s five-stage volcanic alert.