Volcanic eruption in Japan spreads ash in 4 cities, towns

Smoke rises from the Shinmoedake volcano      (C)AP

A volcano in southwestern Japan has erupted for the first time in six years and spread ash in nearby cities and towns. Japanese broadcaster TBS showed footage of elementary school students wearing helmets and masks on the way to their school at the foot of the Shinmoedake volcano. Residents also described rumbles being heard from the volcano. The report said a plume rose 1 700m from the crater and ash fell in at least four cities and towns in Miyazaki prefecture on Thursday.
The volcano on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures erupted on Wednesday for the first time in 6 years. The Japan Meteorological Agency raised the volcanic alert level from 2 to 3 on a scale of 5. Level 3 warns people to not approach the volcano.