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Sakurajima volcano in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture has erupted, Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, VAAC, Tokyo reported on July 20. The VAAC warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to an estimated 4900 m altitude or flight level 160 and is moving at 20 kts in E direction. No damage or casualties have been reported so far.

The volcano is located in the southern island of Kyushu. Sakurajima is an active volcano, formerly an island and now a peninsula, in Kagoshima Prefecture. Being one of the most active volcanoes in the country, Sakurajima last erupted in February this year.

Sakurajima, which means Cherry Blossom Island, is located about 1,000 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, and near the city of Kagoshima in the southern prefecture. Sakurajima used to be an island but became a peninsula following an eruption in 1914. In 2019, Sakurajima spewed ash 5.5 km high.