Japanese volcano that starred in James Bond film erupts, threatening to eject hot debris
Flights grounded, as cars and buildings covered in ash after two violent eruptions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Japanese volcano that appeared in a James Bond film has erupted, shooting smoke and ash thousands of feet into the sky and grounding dozens of flights.
Residents living near Shinmoedake were warned about flying rocks and pyroclastic flows - hot gas and volcanic debris that race down the slopes at high speeds, incinerating or vaporising everything in their path.
Japan's meteorological agency said the volcano, seen in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, violently erupted violently several times, in its biggest explosion since 2011.
Grey smoke can be billowing into the sky and orange lava rising to the mouth of the crater on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu.
At the foot of the volcano, pedestrians in Kirishima city wore surgical masks or covered their noses with hand towels. Others used umbrellas to protect from falling ash, which covered cars and buildings.
About 80 flights in and out of the nearby Kagoshima airport were cancelled.
The 4,660ft volcano started having smaller eruptions last week.
The meteorological agency said the volcanic activity was expected to continue.
Japan, which sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", has 110 active volcanoes and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
An eruption of Mount Ontake in 2014 killed around 60 people.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments