Sakurajima

Current activity

The volcano resumed activity in 1955, and has been erupting almost constantly ever since. Thousands of small explosions occur each year, throwing ash to heights of up to a few kilometres above the mountain. The Sakurajima Volcano Observatory was set up in 1960 to monitor the eruptions, and today Sakurajima is one of the best-studied volcanoes in the world.

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Monitoring of the volcano and predictions of large eruptions are particularly important because of its location in a densely populated area, with Kagoshima's 600,000 people just a few kilometres from the volcano. The city conducts regular evacuation drills, and a number of shelters have been built where people can take refuge from falling volcanic debris.

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In light of the dangers it presents to nearby populations, Sakurajima was designated a Decade Volcano in 1991, identifying it as worthy of particular study as part of the United Nations' International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.

Related Topics:
Decade Volcano - 1991 - United Nations

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