Mt. Sakurajima in southwestern Japan erupts

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - Mt. Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, erupted Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.A plume of ash spewed from the volcano's 1,040-meter Minamidake summit crater in the 5:24 p.m. eruption, reaching about 5.5 kilometers into the sky, the agency said, warning that volcanic activity may continue for some time.No major property damage has been reported, according to the Kagoshima prefectural government.An eruption on a similar scale at the volcano last occurred in July 2016.The agency said eruptions at the crater have occurred repeatedly this yea…READ FULL ARTICLE