Photograph by Mike Lyvers, December 30, 1991. The pyroclastic flows at Sakurajima. Photograph by Mike Lyvers. Sakurajima, a stratovolcano on the the island of Kyushu, is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Since it's first recorded eruption in A.D. 708, Sakurajima has been in nearly constant eruption.
Most eruptions are Stombolian in character and effect only the summit of the volcano.
Earthquakes prior to the large eruption in 1914 did cause numerous deaths but provided warning of the impending eruption and the volcano was evacuated. The current eruptive activity began in 1955. In 1994, there were 126 explosive eruptions at Sakurajima. People living near the volcano must contend with ashfall from some of the larger explosions. Photograph copyrighted and provided by Steve O'Meara of Volcano Watch International.