TOKYO: Mount Aso in southern Japan erupted early Saturday belching a column of ash several thousand metres (feet) into the air, the latest eruption in one of the world’s most volcanically active countries. Japan Meteorological Agency issued its third-highest alert, warning people not to approach the volcano after it rumbled to life at 1:56 am (1646 GMT Friday). Mount Aso’s huge caldera dominates the southwestern main island of Kyushu, where the 1,592-metre (5,253-foot) volcano is a popular tourist spot. Mount Aso previously erupted in September last year, rumbling to life after being dormant for 19 years. On September 27, 2014, Japan suffered its deadliest eruption in almost 90 years when Mount Ontake, in central Nagano prefecture, burst unexpectedly to life.

Source: Manila Times October 07, 2016 19:18 UTC