Violent volcanic eruption on Kuchinoerabu Island; residents ordered to evacuate

[yuiyoshida]

KAGOSHIMA -- A volcano on Kuchinoerabu Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, erupted violently on the morning of May 29, prompting the local government to order over 100 residents to evacuate from the island.

The eruption, which occurred on Mount Shindake in the town of Yakushima at 9:59 a.m., triggered pyroclastic flows that reached a coastal area of the island, according to the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory.

The observatory has raised the volcanic eruption alert level on the island from 3 to 5, and urged local residents to take precautions, such as evacuation. In response, the Yakushima Municipal Government has ordered about 130 residents on the island to flee. No damage has been reported.

The 626-meter-high Shindake has erupted every 20 to 30 years, and a violent eruption in 1933 burned down the Nakakama district on the island, according to the island's tour guide association.

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150529p2a00m0na003000c.html

Mount Shindake eruption in pictures
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150529p2a00m0na034000c.html

Islanders describe terrible noise, choking ash cloud from volcanic eruption
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150529p2a00m0na019000c.html

UPDATE: Residents safe after volcano erupts on isolated southern island
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201505290012

Island off southern Japan to be evacuated after volcano erupts
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/volcano-erupts-off-coast-of-kyushu

Safety of Kuchinoerabu residents confirmed
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150529_27.html