Sakurajima (one of Japan's most active volcanoes, located in Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Japan) erupted on Saturday, April 11, sending ash plumes soaring up to 3,400 metres into the sky, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It was the volcano's first major eruption since December 13, making it the second significant event in four months. The eruption highlights the ongoing volcanic activity at Sakurajima, which poses a persistent hazard to the surrounding region.