ANN/THE JAPAN NEWS – The volcanic alert for Mt Shinmoedake in the Kirishima mountain range straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefecture was raised yesterday to Level 3 by the Japan Meteorological Agency, prohibiting visitors from entering the area.
It had previously been set at Level 2, which limited access near the volcanic vent. This marks the first time since June 2018 that the alert has been raised to Level 3.
The agency is calling for people within four kilometres from the vent to be wary of a large volcanic rock ejected from the mountain. According to the agency, Mt Shinmoedake has repeatedly seen increases and decreases in the number of volcanic tremors with their focus just below the vent since late October 2024.
Starting Friday, the tremors have increased again, with 246 tremors in the 24 hours until 4am yesterday.
Crustal movements indicating swelling of the shape of the mountain have been confirmed since 2.50am.
“If an eruption occurs, it is possible that small ash deposits and small cinders may fall beyond the four-kilometre range. People need to be cautious,” said director of the agency’s Volcanic Observation Division Tomoyuki Kanno at a press conference.
