Atlanta 1/28/2011 11:39:23 PM
News / Nature

Mount Shinmoe in Japan Continues to Erupt

Japan’s Mount Shinmoe continued to erupt into Thursday, causing authorities to raise the alert level to 3. The elevated alert bans people from the mountain area.

The volcano, which sits between Miyazaki and Kagoshima, began erupting on Wednesday morning. Smoke and ash was spewing up to 9,800 feet in the air and falling on the southeastern side of Shinmoe. The Meteorological Agency said volcanic activity may increase.

Although authorities did not issue any evacuation advisories, many Miyazaki residents evacuated their homes Thursday morning. Many of them have already returned home.

Wednesday’s eruption is the largest since 1959. Shinmoe is part of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park. It is around 5,160 feet tall.

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