Strong eruptions from Japan's Shinmoedake prompts evacuations

Strong eruptions from Japan's Shinmoedake prompts evacuations

2011-02-01 12:03:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

TOKYO (BNO NEWS) -- As Japan's Mount Kirishima continues its strong eruptions, officials in Takaharu, Miyazaki Prefecture have advised at least 500 households to evacuate as landslides and flying boulders could reach their homes, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported Monday.

The Miyazaki Local Meteorological Observatory said the lava dome on 1,421-meter (4,662-foot) Shinmoedake peak, which is located in the southwestern region of Japan in its Mount Kirishima, was rising at around midnight Sunday, and it could affect around 1,100 residents.

Meanwhile, the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory said satellite images showed lava dome on Shinmoedake increased from Thursday to Saturday from 100 meters across to about 500 meters, the agency added.

The peak had its first major eruption in 52 years last Wednesday, and as of Monday morning, around 610 people had already relocated into four shelters.

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