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Hirosi Adachi/AP/Press Association Images
Japan

Slideshow: Mount Shinmoedake erupts in Japan

Danger zone around volcano has been extended after last night’s eruption and about 1,000 locals have been urged to evacuate in case of further volcanic activity.
1.21pm, 1 Feb 2011
1.4k

JAPAN’S MOUNT SHINMOEDAKE has erupted dramatically, shattering windows about 8km away and injuring at least one person in southern Japan.

The volcano erupted shortly before 8am local time today (11pm last night in Ireland).

One 92-year-old woman was slightly injured when glass windows shattered at a hospital in nearby Krishima, cutting her forehead, the Mainichi Daily News reports.

The danger zone around Shinmoedake has been increased to a 4km radius of the crater as a result of the latest volcanic activity, and around 1,100 local residents have been advised to evacuate in case of further eruptions, according to the AP. Evacuation is being advised, but is not mandatory.

A number of local flights have been cancelled and train services suspended over the past week.

The 1,421-metre volcano featured in the 1967 Bond film You Only Live Twice, according to the BBC.

This Russia Today video surveys the damage caused by the force of the eruption:

Slideshow: Mount Shinmoedake erupts in Japan
1 / 8

  • Shinmoedake

    The lava dome of Shinmoedake rising on the evening of 31 January 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)

  • Shinmoedake

    Volcanic smoke rises from Mount Shinmoedake on 1 February, 2011. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

  • Shinmoedake

    An aerial view shows a downtown area of Takaharumachi, Miyazaki Prefecture covered with ash gushing from the erupting Shinmoedake, 31 January, 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)

  • Shinmoedake

    A volcanic glow, a phenomenon, burning lava reflecting against smoke and clouds is seen in the night sky, taken by one minute long exposure at 8 p.m. in Kirishima, Kagoashima Prefecture, 29 January, 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

  • Shinmoedake

    A farmer blows volcanic ash from Shinmoedake off a vinyl house in the Kirishima mountains range on 29 January, 2011. (Motoki Nakashima/AP/Press Association Images)

  • Shinmoedake

  • Shinmoedake

    AP Photo/Kyodo News

  • Shinmoedake

    The lava dome of Shinmoedake rising on the evening of 31 January 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)
  • The lava dome of Shinmoedake rising on the evening of 31 January 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)
  • Volcanic smoke rises from Mount Shinmoedake on 1 February, 2011. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
  • An aerial view shows a downtown area of Takaharumachi, Miyazaki Prefecture covered with ash gushing from the erupting Shinmoedake, 31 January, 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)
  • A volcanic glow, a phenomenon, burning lava reflecting against smoke and clouds is seen in the night sky, taken by one minute long exposure at 8 p.m. in Kirishima, Kagoashima Prefecture, 29 January, 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )
  • A farmer blows volcanic ash from Shinmoedake off a vinyl house in the Kirishima mountains range on 29 January, 2011. (Motoki Nakashima/AP/Press Association Images)
  • AP Photo/Kyodo News
  • The lava dome of Shinmoedake rising on the evening of 31 January 2011. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)

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Susan Ryan
susanryan@thejournal.ie
@SusanSRyan
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