The biggest volcanic eruption in Japan since 1914 happened this past weekend. Kyodo News reports that Sakurajima in southwestern Japan had an explosive eruption on Saturday and Sunday. One rock from the volcano flew 2.5 kilometers(a little over 1.5 miles) from the crater. On Monday, a smaller eruption occurred at 6:30 a.m., with the plumes rising 2200 meters. This led to the two nearby towns being evacuated, but luckily no deaths or injuries have been reported so far. The Japan Meteorological Agency rated the volcano alert as a five, which is the highest score possible.

Sakurajima is a stratovolcano that’s located around six hundred miles away from Tokyo. The summit elevation is 3665 feet, and it has three distinct peaks. It was once on an island, but the continued eruptions made it located on a peninsula. The volcano is one of the most active in Japan, as it drops ash on the surrounding areas. Some videos of the wild situation are below.

Image/Video Credits: Kyodo News, Altera Mundial, CBS News

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Born and raised in New Hampshire, Ian Wood became passionate about the ski industry while learning to ski at Mt. Sunapee. In high school, he became a ski patroller at Proctor Ski Area. He travelled out...