(MENAFN) A powerful eruption at Japan's Sakurajima volcano unleashed massive ash plumes reaching 4,400 meters (14,436 feet) into the atmosphere early Sunday morning, Japanese media reported.

The volcanic activity persisted beyond the initial explosion, prompting meteorological authorities to issue ashfall warnings across Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures in southwestern Japan.

No casualties or property destruction have been documented following the event.

The blast originated from the Minamidake crater at approximately 12:57 a.m. local time (1557 GMT Saturday), generating the highest ash column recorded at the site since October 18 of the previous year, the regional meteorological observatory confirmed.

Volcanic debris was propelled to the fifth station marker, though officials detected no pyroclastic flow activity. Authorities maintain alert level three on a five-tier scale, restricting public access to the volcanic zone.

Located in Kagoshima prefecture, Sakurajima ranks among Japan's most frequently active volcanic systems. The volcano sits on Kyushu, the nation's southwestern primary island, physically joined to the Osumi Peninsula following a 1914 lava eruption that created a terrestrial land bridge, transforming what was previously an isolated island formation.

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