Japan Volcano eruption: The volcano became active last Wednesday firing red-hot magma and volcanic bombs into the air in southern Japan erupted Tuesday with its biggest explosion yet, shooting out a huge plume of gas, boulders and ash.

This is the largest eruption since it burst back to life last week covered wide areas in ash, shot boulders onto distant roads, knocked down trees and broke hundreds of windows in hotels and offices. The danger zone around Shinmoedake volcano was widened to keep residents safe

Mount Kirishima, a volcano on the southern island of Kyushu, began erupting on Jan. 26. A giant ash cloud poured from the volcano, prompting the Tokyo VAAC to issue an ash warning for places above 25,000 feet (7.6 kilometers).

NHK said the eruption was five times larger than the initial activity last week, which was Shinmoedake’s first major eruption in 52 years.

Experts said a dome of lava was growing larger inside the 4,662-foot (1,421-meter) volcano’s crater, but it was not certain whether the dome would grow enough to spill over the rim and create large flows down the volcano’s sides.

Avalanches of superheated gas, ash and rock have already been observed.

Kirishimna technically refers to a larger group of volcanic vents on the island. These vents are quite active but mostly have small explosive eruptions. The latest eruption may be the largest since 1959.

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