Shinmoedake volcano in Mount Kirishima begun erupting Wednesday January 26, 2011 at around 7:30 in the morning. By 3pm dark smoke ascended to nearly 5,000 feet prompting authorities to raise level 3 alert.
The powerful explosion could be heard over miles away. Shockwaves shattered windows in building five miles across nearby Kirishima city.
Hot rocks causing small fire in the forest that were soon extinguished by the local officials.
Couple of days after the first eruption spew out rocks and hot ashes about 5,000 feet in the air prompted more than 1,000 residents to leave from danger zone and cancelled several flights.
Seven miles from east of Kirishima, in nearby town of Takaharu the evacuation center was built immediately headed by Yuji Nakashima Manager of General Affair to accommodate evacuees.
Local residents in nearby areas clean up daily of ash downwind of the volcano.
Children going to school are wearing masks and about 16 miles west from the crater, other school bound children were delayed a couple of hours because of poor visibility along the high way.
Cordon was established by the authorities about 1 mile within restricted area in Mount Kirishima.
Expert and scientist had a strong anticipation prior to that powerful eruption took place in the since that there was small eruption and some small earthquake happened last summer.
According to the experts there are more than 100 active volcanoes in Japan and volcanic eruption is very common.
There is a tendency that after eruption great volume of lava is forming from hot fluid with underground water to spill down the mountains. If that is the case, worst eruption is yet to come, said the expert.
Scientists and other concern were now continue monitoring volcanic activities particularly magma movements in the crater.
