Sakurajima Showa crater erupts for the first time in 5 years “Magma chamber expanded, part of it leaked out” Kagoshima[02/08 19:35]
On the 8th, the Showa crater of Sakurajima erupted for the first time in about five years. Experts believe that the magma chamber beneath Sakurajima expanded and part of it leaked toward the Showa crater.
According to the Meteorological Observatory, there was a very small eruption at 10:52 am on the 8th at the Showa crater of Sakurajima, and a volcanic plume rose to a height of 800 meters from the crater. Since then, two other eruptions have occurred.
It was the first time in about five years since April 3, 2018 that an eruption, including a very small eruption, occurred at the Showa crater. Until now, the eruptive activity of Sakurajima had shifted to the Minamidake summit crater. .
At Sakurajima, gradual crustal movements indicating expansion of the volcanic edifice have been observed since last month, and Professor Masato Iguchi of Kyoto University, who studies the activities of Sakurajima, says that the Showa crater and Minamidake summit crater are supplied with magma from the same place. Therefore, it is possible that eruptions will continue at both craters.
(Professor Masato Iguchi, Volcanic Activity Research Center, Kyoto University) “The Showa crater also erupts using the magma chamber under Minamidake, so it wouldn’t be surprising if it erupted anywhere (between the Minamidake summit crater and the Showa crater).
The original magma chamber was expanding, and part of it leaked toward the Showa crater. It is quite possible that the eruption will end with just this one, and it is quite possible that both the Showa crater and the Minamidake summit crater will erupt. I’ll just have to wait and see.”
Sakurajima is still under volcanic alert level 3, with volcanic eruption restrictions still in place.