Japan’s Meteorological Agency raised the alert level for Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishima mountain range on the border of Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, from Level 2 to Level 3 following an eruption on June 22. The decision came after a field survey revealed a sharp rise in sulfur dioxide emissions, now at 4,000 tons per day—a level undetected in May. Authorities warn of falling volcanic rocks within a 3 km radius and potential pyroclastic flows up to 2 km. This marks Shinmoedake’s first eruption in seven years, with heavy ashfall recorded in Takahara Town, Miyazaki. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency / NHK
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