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.
A moderate eruption occurred at Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishimayama volcano group in Kyushu, Japan, at approximately 16:37 JST (07:37 UTC) on June 22, 2025. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported an ash plume rising 500 m (1 640 feet) above the crater rim. The alert level remains at 2, with a 2 km (1.2 miles) exclusion zone around the crater.
Three eruptions were recorded at Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, on May 15, 2025, with ash plumes reaching heights over 4 200 m (13 800 feet) above sea level. Ashfall was reported in Kagoshima City, reducing visibility on city roads.
Japan has raised the volcanic alert for Shinmoedake volcano to level 3 early Sunday, March 30, 2025, following the detection of more than 200 volcanic tremors within a 24-hour period.
The Satsuma-Iojima volcano, located within the Kikai caldera in Japan, is showing signs of increased activity since September 1, 2024.
Satellite images taken on July 19, 2024, suggest Japan’s Iwo-Jima volcano, also known as Ioto and Ogasawara-Iojima, has entered a new eruptive period.
A strong explosive eruption was registered at Sakurajima volcano, Japan at 04:58 UTC on July 20, 2024.
A strong eruption took place at Sakurajima’s Minamidake crater at 09:33 UTC (18:33 LT) on February 14, 2024, producing a thick black ash column that rose up to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level accompanied by volcanic lightning. This is the strongest eruption at Sakurajima since 2020.
On November 1, 2023, a new island was born approximately 1 km (0.62 miles) off the southern coast of Iwoto Island, Japan, following intense volcanic activity. This latest addition to the Ogasawara island chain, now nearly merging with Iwoto, was first identified by military personnel stationed there.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reports that for the first time in 1 000 years, volcanic eruptions spewing magma are believed to have taken place just off the southern coast of Japan’s Ioto island, also known as Iwojima and Iojima.
