06/22/2026
Fascinating Duke T. Khuu, MD, FAAD Duke T. Khuu, MD, FAAD
Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active stratovolcanoes, located just 4 km from the bustling city of Kagoshima in Kyushu. Standing 1,117 meters tall, it frequently erupts, sending plumes of ash and smoke high into the atmosphere. It is connected to the Osumi Peninsula following a massive 1914 eruption. Sakurajima features continuous minor, daily eruptions that dust Kagoshima with ash. Significant, explosive events (such as eruptions reaching 4.5 km into the atmosphere) periodically cause local flight disruptions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) maintains a 2 km exclusion zone around the active Minami-dake and Showa craters. The communities on Sakurajima have seamlessly integrated coexistence with the volcano into their daily lives. Disaster mitigation measures include: Evacuation Shelters: Concrete shelters are positioned across the island for residents and tourists. Local schoolchildren wear protective hard hats to and from school. Special dump trucks and designated routes are used to clear the constant volcanic ash from roads.
