Volcano erupts in Japan and creates terrifying thunderstorm — as ash rises nearly four miles into the sky
It marks the 47th eruption this year and the local observatory is warning residents and travellers of risk of traffic accidents
THE breathtaking power of the Earth is seen in this dirty thunderstorm — lightning in a volcanic plume — shooting nearly four miles into the sky.
The Showa crater of Mount Sakurajima in Kagoshima, Japan, erupted early yesterday.
The 20,000ft smokestack was among the grumbling volcano’s tallest. It last spewed out one that high on 18 August 2013, according to the Kagoshima Meteorological Office.
It marks the 47th eruption this year, and the observatory is warning residents and travellers that traffic accidents may occur because of the falling ash.
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The Japan Meterological Agency has issued a level three alert and asked people to stay away from the volcano site. The volcano is located 31 miles from the nuclear plant in Sendai, reactivated last year.
Approximately ten per cent of the world's active volcanoes can be found in Japan, and it lies within the 'Ring of Fire' - one of the most active seismic zones in the world.
Volcanic ash is formed during explosive eruptions when dissolved gases expand in magma and escape into the atmosphere.
