Evacuation warning as volcano alert raised near Japan nuclear reactor

People living near a volcano in Japan are being warned to evacuate after the government raised the alert to the second highest level. Sakurajima, on the southern island of Kyushu, is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and has been showing signs of increased activity. The volcano is 31 miles from the Sendai nuclear plant, which restarted its reactor on Tuesday after new safety rules following the Fukushima disaster in March 2011.

There is the danger that stones could rain down on areas near the mountain’s base, so we are warning residents of those areas to be ready to evacuate if needed.

An official from the Japan Meteorological Agency

The warning level on the volcano has been raised to four - meaning prepare to evacuate. Sendai is the first reactor to be restarted under the new safety standards. Critics have said the plant is located near five giant calderas - crater-like depressions formed by past eruptions. But the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has said the chance of major volcanic activity during the lifespan of the plant is negligible. Last year, Mount Ontake in central Japan erupted unexpectedly, killing 63 people. Japan lies on the “Ring of Fire” band of fault lines in the Pacific and has more than 100 active volcanoes.

Science Sakurajima