Explosive eruption at Shinmoedake blankets parts of Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures with ash, Japan
A strong explosive eruption occurred at Shinmoedake volcano, part of the Kirishima volcanic complex on Kyushu Island, Japan, at approximately 15:37 JST (06:37 UTC) on July 3, 2025, sending an ash plume up to 6.7 km (22 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.). The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had raised the volcanic alert to Level 3 on June 27, following increased volcanic unrest.
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The eruption generated significant ashfall affecting Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, where local authorities issued advisories urging residents to stay indoors, wear protective masks, and cover water sources and vehicles.
JMA elevated the volcanic alert level to 3 (entry restrictions) on June 27 due to increased volcanic earthquakes, ground deformation, and elevated sulfur dioxide emissions reaching approximately 4 000 t/day after a smaller eruption on June 22 — the first since 2018, which produced an ash plume up to 500 m (1 640 feet).
A mandatory exclusion zone of 3 km (1.8 miles) radius around the summit crater is enforced to prevent injuries from potential volcanic bombs, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows.
At a government volcano research committee meeting on July 2, experts reported large emissions of volcanic gases and signs of underground swelling at Shinmoedake, but found no evidence of new magma eruption. The committee agreed that the situation does not warrant an emergency meeting. Shimizu Hiroshi, head of the committee, stated that while the current activity is not a magma eruption, the possibility cannot be ruled out and careful monitoring is required to assess further developments.
Historical records show this eruption is moderate compared to previous events. Shinmoedake’s eruption in 2011 produced ash plumes up to 9 km (29 500 feet), causing evacuations and flight disruptions. The 2018 activity was also significant but less intense than the 2011 event.
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I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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