View source for Sakurajima

{{Short description|Stratovolcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan}}
{{About|the volcano||Sakurajima (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Sakurajima
| photo = Sakurajima55.jpg
| photo_caption = View of Sakurajima from mainland Kagoshima, 2009
| elevation_m = 1117
| elevation_ref = 
| prominence = 
| location = [[Kagoshima Prefecture]], Japan
| map = Japan#Japan Kagoshima Prefecture
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = 
| map_size = 
| label = Sakurajima
| label_position = 
| coordinates = {{coord|31|34|50|N|130|39|29|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range = 
| topo = 
| type = [[Somma volcano|Somma]]-[[stratovolcano]]
| age = 
| last_eruption = November 16, 2025.<ref name="Mainichi16112025"/>
| first_ascent = 
| easiest_route = 
}}

'''Sakurajima''' ({{langx|ja|桜島}}, {{literal|[[Cherry blossom|Cherry Blossom]] Island}}) is an active [[composite volcano|stratovolcano]], formerly an [[island]] and now a peninsula, in [[Kagoshima Prefecture]] in [[Kyushu]], Japan.<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA814 "Sakurajima"] in ''Japan Encyclopedia,'' p. 814; see [[:File:Kagoshima 1914.jpg|photo, caption -- Kagoshima after Sakurashima eruption]], ''Illustrated London News.'' January 1914.</ref> The [[lava]] flows of the 1914 eruption connected it with the [[Ōsumi Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite journal |author = Davison C |title = The Sakura-Jima Eruption of January, 1914 |journal = Nature |volume = 98 |issue = 2447 |pages = 57–58 |date = 1916-09-21 |doi = 10.1038/098057b0 |bibcode = 1916Natur..98...57D |s2cid = 3964260 |url = https://zenodo.org/record/1429613 }}</ref> It is the most active volcano in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/features/h00194/ |title=Sakurajima, Japan's Most Active Volcano |date=2018-05-16 |website=nippon.com |publisher=Nippon Communications Foundation |language=en |access-date=2018-08-02 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

{{As of|November 2025}}, the volcanic activity continues,<ref>{{cite web |title=Sakurajima Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: VA AT 20210405/0420Z FL050 EXTD NE OBS VA DTG: 05/0420Z to 5000 ft (1500 m) |url=https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/sakurajima/news/126437/Sakurajima-Volcano-Volcanic-Ash-Advisory-VA-AT-202104050420Z-FL050-EXTD-NE-OBS-VA-DTG-050420Z-to-500.html |website=volcanodiscovery.com |access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="Mainichi16112025"/> dropping [[volcanic ash]] on the surroundings. Earlier eruptions built the white sand highlands in the region. On September 13, 2016, a team of experts from [[Bristol University]] and the Sakurajima Volcano Research Centre in Japan suggested that the volcano could have a major eruption within 30 years; since then many eruptions have occurred.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/13/new-data-points-to-major-eruption-of-japanese-volcano|title=New data points to major eruption of Japanese volcano|first=Justin|last=McCurry|date=13 September 2016|website=the Guardian|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="Mainichi16112025"/>

Sakurajima is a [[stratovolcano]]. Its [[Summit (topography)|summit]] has three peaks, ''Kita-dake'' (northern peak), ''Naka-dake'' (central peak) and ''Minami-dake'' (southern peak) which is active now.

Kita-dake is Sakurajima's highest peak, rising to {{convert|1117|m|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} above [[sea level]]. The mountain is in a part of [[Kagoshima Bay]] known as Kinkō-wan. The former island is part of the [[Municipality of Japan|city]] of [[Kagoshima]] which is only 4&nbsp;km across the bay.<ref name="nussbaum447">Nussbaum, [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA447 "Kagoshima prefecture" at p. 447].</ref> The surface of this volcanic peninsula is about {{convert|77|km2|abbr=on}}.

Sakurajima has a population of a few thousand residents, formerly incorporated as Sakurajima town, with a number of schools, shrines, and shops on the island. It is serviced by the [[Sakurajima Ferry]] which runs 24/7. It is a tourist destination known for its onsen, local pottery made from volcanic ash, and produce such as the [[Sakurajima daikon radish]] and [[Sakurajima komikan orange]] which grow in the immensely fertile volcanic soil.

Sakurajima has many natural areas and the ecosystems in different areas where recent eruptions have taken place have been researched as an example of [[ecological succession]].

==History==

===Geological history===
[[File: Sakurajima 1902 survey.jpg|thumb|A map of Sakurajima in 1902, showing it as a distinct island.]]

Sakurajima is in the 25&nbsp;km (15&nbsp;mi)-wide [[Aira caldera]], which formed in an enormous "blow-out-and-cave-in" eruption around 22,000&nbsp;years ago.<ref name="VOWO">{{cite web |url=http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/vw_hyperexchange/sakura-jima.html |title=The 1914 Sakurajima explosion at Volcanoworld |access-date=2007-08-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616093432/http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/vw_hyperexchange/sakura-jima.html |archive-date=2008-06-16 }}</ref> Several hundred cubic kilometres of [[Volcanic ash|ash]] and [[pumice]] were ejected, causing the [[magma chamber]] underneath the erupting vents to collapse. The resulting caldera is over {{cvt|20|km}} across. [[Tephra]] fell as far as {{convert|1000|km|abbr=on}} from the volcano. Sakurajima is a modern active vent of the same Aira caldera volcano.

Sakurajima was formed by later activity within the caldera, beginning about 13,000&nbsp;years ago.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.activolcans.info/fiche.php?NomVolcan=Sakurajima |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060513054653/http://www.activolcans.info/fiche.php?NomVolcan=Sakurajima |url-status = usurped |archive-date = May 13, 2006 |title = Sakurajima at Activolcan.info |access-date = 2007-08-03 |language=fr}}</ref> It is about {{convert|8|km|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} south of the centre of the caldera. Its first eruption in recorded history was in 963&nbsp;AD.<ref name="VOWO2">{{cite web |url = http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/volcanoes/volc_images/north_asia/sakura.html |title = Sakura-jima, Japan |work = VolcanoWorld |publisher = Oregon State University |access-date = 2008-10-12 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080801055601/http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/volcanoes/volc_images/north_asia/sakura.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date = 2008-08-01 }}</ref> Most of its eruptions are [[Strombolian eruption|Strombolian]],<ref name="VOWO2"/> affecting only the summit areas, but larger [[Plinian eruptions]] have occurred in 1471–1476, 1779–1782 and 1914.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://hakone.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/unzen/sakura/geol.html |title = Sakurajima at the Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo. |access-date = 2007-08-03 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080214155658/http://hakone.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/unzen/sakura/geol.html |archive-date = 2008-02-14 }}</ref>

Volcanic activity at ''Kita-dake'' ended around 4,900&nbsp;years ago: later eruptions have been centered on ''Minami-dake''.<ref>{{cite gvp |vn = 282080 |vtab = Eruptions |name = Aira: Eruptive History |access-date = 2007-08-04 }}</ref> Initially since 2006, activity was centred on Showa crater, to the east of the summit of Minami-dake,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Iguchi|first=Masato|title=Forecasting volcanic activity of Sakurajima|journal=Proceedings of IAVCEI 2013 Scientific Assembly.|date=20 July 2013|url=http://www.iavcei2013.com/iavcei_hp/PDF/0A2_Key-02.pdf|access-date=18 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020202847/http://www.iavcei2013.com/iavcei_hp/PDF/0A2_Key-02.pdf|archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> but by 2025 had moved to the summit crater.<ref name="Mainichi16112025"/>

===1914 eruption===
{{Infobox eruption
 | nam
 | start_date = January 11, 1914
 | volcano = 
 | type = [[Peléan eruption|Peléan]]
 | location =
 | coordinates =
 | VEI = 4
 | map =
 | location-map =
 | map-size =
 | map-caption =
 | impact = Pre-eruption earthquakes killed at least 35 people and an additional 23 people died;<ref name="auto">{{cite news|title=Japan's Sakurajima volcano due for major eruption within 30 years, say scientists|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37358316|work=BBC News|date=14 September 2016|access-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> caused an evacuation and significant changes to the local topography.
}}

[[File:Buried torii near Kurokami-Cho, Kagoshima.JPG|thumb|A [[torii]] in Kurokami-Cho, Kagoshima is half-buried by ash and stones caused by the 1914 eruption.]]
The 1914 eruption began on January 11 and was the most powerful in twentieth-century Japan. The volcano had been dormant for over a century until 1914.<ref name="VOWO"/> 
Almost all residents had left the island in the previous days; several large [[earthquake]]s had warned them that an eruption was imminent.
Initially, the eruption was very explosive, generating [[eruption column]]s and [[pyroclastic flow]]s, but after a very large earthquake on January 12, and another the day after, it became effusive, generating a large lava flow.<ref name="VOWO"/> The January 12 earthquake killed 35, and in total, 58 people died.<ref name=auto/><ref name=VOWO/> [[Lava flow]]s filled the narrow strait between the island and the mainland, turning it into a peninsula.
Lava flows are rare in Japan—because the [[silica]] content of the [[magma]]s is high, explosive eruptions are far more common<ref>{{cite web |url = http://jove.geol.niu.edu/students/mdare/VirtualFieldTrip/Mt_Fuji/volcanoinfo.htm |title = Japanese Volcanoes at the Northern Illinois University |access-date = 2007-08-06 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100819071712/http://jove.geol.niu.edu/students/mdare/VirtualFieldTrip/Mt_Fuji/volcanoinfo.htm |archive-date = 2010-08-19 }}</ref>—but the lava flows at Sakurajima continued for months.<ref name="VOWO"/>
The island grew, engulfing several smaller islands nearby, and eventually became connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Parts of [[Kagoshima Bay]] became significantly shallower, and it made tides higher.<ref name="VOWO"/>

During the last stages of the eruption, emptying of the underlying magma chamber sank the centre of the Aira Caldera by about {{convert|60|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="VOWO"/> This showed that Sakurajima draws its magma from the same magma reservoir that fed the ancient caldera-forming eruption.<ref name="VOWO"/> The eruption partly inspired a 1914 movie, ''[[The Wrath of the Gods (1914 film)|The Wrath of the Gods]]'', centering on a [[family curse]] that ostensibly causes the eruption.

===Recent activity===
[[File:Sakurajima Relief Map, SRTM-1.jpg|thumb|right|Topographic map]]
[[File:ISS034-E-027139.jpg|thumb|300px|An image taken from the International Space Station showing Sakurajima and its surroundings on January 10, 2013]]
[[File:Sakurajima oli 2013231.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sakura-jima eruption as seen on August 18, 2013]]
Sakurajima's activity became more prominent in 1955, and the volcano has been erupting almost constantly ever since. Thousands of small explosions happen each year, throwing ash to heights of up to a few kilometers above the mountain. The Sakurajima Volcano Observatory was set up in 1960 to monitor these eruptions.<ref name="VOWO2"/>

Monitoring of the volcano and predictions of large eruptions are particularly important because it is in a densely populated area, with the city of Kagoshima's 680,000 residents just a few kilometers from the volcano. The city conducts regular evacuation drills, and a number of shelters have been built where people can take refuge from falling volcanic debris.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://standeyo.com/NEWS/06_Earth_Changes/060605.Sakurajima.html |title = Reuters report on Sakurajima explosion, June 5th 2006 |access-date = 2007-08-06 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928043002/http://standeyo.com/NEWS/06_Earth_Changes/060605.Sakurajima.html |archive-date = 2007-09-28 }}</ref>

In light of the dangers it presents to nearby populations, Sakurajima was designated a [[Decade Volcano]] in 1991, identifying it as worthy of particular study as part of the [[United Nations]]' International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://hakone.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/unzen/sakura/sakura.html |title = Decade Volcano Sakurajima at the Earthquake Research Institute |access-date = 2007-08-06 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070819124809/http://hakone.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/unzen/sakura/sakura.html |archive-date = 2007-08-19 }}</ref>

Sakurajima is part of the [[Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park|Kirishima-Yaku National Park]], and its lava flows are a major tourist attraction. The area around Sakurajima contains several hot spring resorts. One of the main agricultural products of Sakurajima is a huge basketball-sized white radish (''[[Sakurajima radish|Sakurajima daikon]]'').<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.synapse.ne.jp/update/whatup/back/sakurajima-e.html |title = Touristic information on synapse.ne.jp |access-date = 2007-08-06 }}</ref>

====2009====
On March 10, 2009, Sakurajima erupted, sending debris up to {{convert|2|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}. An eruption had been expected following a series of smaller explosions over the weekend. It is not thought there was any damage caused.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7934418.stm |title = Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupts |date = March 10, 2009 |access-date = March 16, 2012 }}</ref>

====2010====
An eruption occurred from the Minami-dake summit crater at 5:38 on Sunday, August 9, 2010, sending debris up to 5000&nbsp;m (16,000&nbsp;ft).<ref>{{Cite web|title=桜島が噴火 噴煙が火口上5000mに上昇 噴煙量は多量（ウェザーニュース）|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4419c0f435f036091adabbd2117e6e9795e3b108|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Yahoo!ニュース|language=ja|archive-date=2020-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808234458/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4419c0f435f036091adabbd2117e6e9795e3b108|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2011 2012====
In 2011 and 2012, Sakurajima experienced several significant eruptions; volcanic activity continued into 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/22500/Volcanic-activity-world-wide-16-November-2012-Ruapehu-Paluweh-Michael-Kilauea-Fuego-Santiaguito-Neva.html|title=Volcanic activity world-wide 16 November 2012: Ruapehu, Paluweh, Michael, Kilauea, Fuego, Santiaguito, Nevado del Ruiz, Reventador, Sakurajima, Mammoth Mountain (Long Valley), Ambrym, Nyiragongo|website=www.volcanodiscovery.com|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref>

====2013====
On August 18, 2013, the volcano erupted from [[Showa crater]] and produced its highest recorded plume of ash since 2006, rising 5,000 metres high and causing darkness and significant ash falls on the central part of Kagoshima city. The eruption occurred at 16:31 and was the 500th eruption of the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sakurajima spews its highest volcanic column ever at 5,000 meters|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201308180030|access-date=18 August 2013|newspaper=[[Asahi Shimbun]]|date=18 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040531/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201308180030|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

====2015====
In August 2015, Japan's meteorological agency issued a level 4 emergency warning, which urges residents to prepare to evacuate.<ref>{{cite news|title=Volcano alerts issued in Ecuador, Japan|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/15/americas/ecuador-japan-volcanoes/|access-date=16 August 2015|date=15 August 2015}}</ref>
Scientists warned that a major eruption could soon take place at the volcano;<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/08/sakurajima-japan-might-headed-towards-large-eruption/|title=Sakurajima in Japan Might Be Headed Towards a Large Eruption|magazine=Wired|access-date=17 April 2018|last1=Klemetti |first1=Erik }}</ref> it eventually did erupt around 20:00 on February 5, 2016.<ref name="2016eruption">{{cite news|title=Sakurajima volcano in Japan erupts|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/05/sakurajima-volcano-japan-erupts|access-date=5 February 2016|agency=[[Associated Press]]|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=5 February 2016}}</ref>

====2016====
After a long pause of eruptions at the vent, the eruptions abruptly stopped there and returned to the Showa crater, on April 4, 2016, some 8–9 days preceding major [[2016 Kumamoto earthquake|earthquakes]] on the [[Median Tectonic Line]] near Kumamoto, Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano-activity/news/57153/Volcanic-activity-worldwide-4-Apr-2016-Popocatpetl-volcano-Bromo-Turrialba-Sangay-Sakurajima.html|title=Volcanic activity worldwide 4 Apr 2016: Popocatépetl volcano, Bromo, Turrialba, Sangay, Sakurajima,...|website=www.volcanodiscovery.com|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> Then, three months later, on July 26, it spewed volcanic ash {{convert|5000|m|abbr=on}} into the air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/26/world/kagoshimas-sakurajima-volcano-erupts-spews-plume-5000-meters/|title=Kagoshima's Sakurajima volcano erupts, spews plume 5,000 meters up|date=26 July 2016|access-date=17 April 2018|via=Japan Times Online|archive-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418225704/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/26/world/kagoshimas-sakurajima-volcano-erupts-spews-plume-5000-meters/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2020====
On October 3, 2020, at 07:35 UTC, the volcano erupted once again, this time from the Aira caldera. A volcanic ash advisory for aviation was issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) at 07:43 UTC, showing the ash cloud to be stationary and reaching FL100 (10,000 feet).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sakurajima Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ERUPTED AT 20201003/0735Z FL100 STNR OBS VA DTG: 03/0730Z|url=https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/sakurajima/news/110862/Sakurajima-Volcano-Volcanic-Ash-Advisory-ERUPTED-AT-202010030735Z-FL100-STNR-OBS-VA-DTG-030730Z.html|access-date=2020-10-03|website=www.volcanodiscovery.com}}</ref>

====2022====
On July 24, 2022, at 20:05 JST, an explosive eruption occurred at the summit crater of the volcano, and cinders scattered up to {{cvt|2.5|km}} from the crater.<ref name="NHK-k10013734191000">{{Cite web |title=桜島で噴火 噴火警戒レベル5に引き上げ 33世帯に避難指示 {{!}} NHK |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20220724/k10013734191000.html |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=[[NHK]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MBCニュース {{!}} 桜島で噴火 噴石が東方向に2．4キロ飛ぶ |url=https://www.mbc.co.jp/news/article/2022072400058009.html |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=MBC |archive-date=2022-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724114330/https://www.mbc.co.jp/news/article/2022072400058009.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following this eruption, at 20:50 JST, the Japan Meteorological Agency raised the eruption alert level from Level 3 to Level 5, the highest level, and urged maximum precaution and evacuation.<ref name="NHK-k10013734191000" /> This was the first time an eruption alert level 5 has been issued for Sakurajima.<ref>{{Cite web |title=桜島で噴火が発生 気象庁が噴火速報を発表 火口上300mで雲に入る |url=https://weathernews.jp/s/topics/202207/240205/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=WeatherNews |language=ja}}</ref>

====2023====
On February 9, 2023, an eruption occurred at the [[Showa crater]] on Sakurajima at 10:52 JST.<ref name = 'news showa'>{{cite news |title=Sakurajima volcano erupts in southwestern Japan |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/08/national/sakurajima-eruption-kagoshima/ |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=The Japan Times |date=8 February 2023}}</ref> The [[Eruption column|plumes]] had risen to {{convert|1000|m|abbr=none}} at 11:10 JST, according to the Kagoshima Meteorological Office.<ref name = 'news showa'/> People in a {{cvt|2|km}} radius were sent a warning by the local weather observatory against [[pyroclastic flow]]s and falling rocks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sakurajima volcano in southwestern Japan erupts |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/02/c2dd8a9a94de-sakurajima-volcano-in-southwestern-japan-erupts.html |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=Kyodo News+}}</ref>

====2024====
On February 14, 2024, an eruption occurred at the southern peak's Minamidake crater on Sakurajima at 18:33 JST, emitting plumes of over {{convert|5|km|abbr=none}} in height and spewing rocks as far as {{cvt|1.3|m}} away.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sakurajima volcano in southwestern Japan erupts |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/02/6afe56ba2c76-sakurajima-volcano-in-southwestern-japan-erupts.html |access-date=14 February 2024 |work=Kyodo News+}}</ref> Minamidake crater again erupted on October 18, 2024 with a plume above {{cvt|4|km}}.<ref name="Mainichi16112025">{{cite news|title=Sakurajima volcano erupts in southwest Japan, creating 4,400 m-high plume |publisher=[[Mainichi Shimbun]] |location=Tokyo |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251116/p2g/00m/0na/003000c |work=The Mainichi |date=16 November 2025 |access-date=16 November 2025 }}</ref>

====2025====
Between May 15 and May 16, 2025 multiple small eruptions with volcanic plumes up to {{cvt|3|km}} high occurred disturbing local air travel.<ref name="Sakurajima volcano on Volcano Discovery">{{Cite news|title=Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupts violently, disrupting flights and travel|url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/world-news/article/302640/Japans-Sakurajima-volcano-erupts-violently-disrupting-flights-and-travel}}</ref> On November 16, 2025, Minamidake crater erupted at 00:57 JST with an eruption plume that reached {{cvt|4400|m}} high.<ref name="Mainichi16112025"/> Volcanic rocks from the eruption reached as far as the fifth station, some {{cvt|1.2|km}} from the crater and a level 3 alert was issued.<ref name="yomiuri">{{Cite web |date=16 November 2025 |title=Sakurajima Erupts; Plume Exceeds 4,000 Meters |url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20251116-292942/ |access-date=16 November 2025 |website=The Japan News |publisher=The Yomiuri Shimbun}}</ref> 

<gallery>
File:1914-Sakurajima-eruption.jpg|Eruption in 1914
File:1974 Japan Sakurajima.jpg|Sakurajima eruption in 1974
File:Sakura-jima from space.jpg|Space radar image of Sakurajima in 1994
File:Sakurajima21.JPG|2004
File:Sakurajima 20091003.jpg|2009
File:Kagoshima-shi-sakurajima-japan- 20100114- 013.jpg|2010
File:Sakurajima September 2013 2.jpg|Eruption on 2013-09-23
File:The Famous Scenes of the Sixty States 66 Osumi.jpg|A print of Sakurajima by [[Hiroshige]]
File:Sakurajima 2019-07-01.jpg|Sakurajima from a ferry in Kagoshima Bay, 2019-07-01
File:Over_Sakurajima_Volcano_(4278148645).jpg|Seen from an aircraft in 2009
File:2020-01-29, Sentinel-1 AWS (S1-AWS-IW-VVVH), VV - decibel gamma0 - orthorectified.jpg|Satellite view in January 2020
File:Sakurajima Volcano, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan - April 26th, 2021 (51141772727).jpg|April 2021
</gallery>

==Culture==
[[File:Sculpture of Nagabuchi - panoramio.jpg|alt=A sculpture of a man's head screaming at the sky with a guitar by its side, carved out of volcanic rock.|thumb|Sculpture of Nagabuchi at the site of the All Night Concert on Sakurajima.]]
[[Sakurajima (novella)|''Sakurajima'']] is a novella written in 1946 by the Japanese writer [[Haruo Umezaki]], about a disillusioned Navy officer stationed on the island towards the end of World War II as American planes bomb Japan. The story is one of Umezaki's most famous works. It is based on his own experience; during World War II, he was stationed at a military cipher base in the nearby city of [[Kagoshima]].

"Sakurajima" is also the name of a song by Japanese singer [[Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi]]. In 2004, Nagabuchi held an {{ill|Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi All NIGHT LIVE IN Sakurajima|lt=all-night-concert|ja|長渕剛 ALL NIGHT LIVE IN 桜島 04.8.21}} at a quarry of Sakurajima that attracted an audience of 75,000. After the concert, a statue showing Nagabuchi [[Screaming (music)|screaming]] with a guitar was installed on the site of the concert.<ref>{{cite news|author=Matthew Holmes|title=Moving and shaking on Sakurajima|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/04/08/travel/moving-and-shaking-on-sakurajima/#.XXAFhyhKjD4|publisher=The Japan Times|date=2012-04-08}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Japan|Mountains|Islands|Volcanoes|Geography}}
* [[List of volcanoes in Japan]]
* [[Flag of Kagoshima Prefecture]], which features Sakurajima

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* Townley, S.D. (1915). [https://books.google.com/books?id=GEgFAAAAYAAJ&q=Sakurajima  "Seismographs at the Panama-Pacific Exposition,"] ''Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.'' Stanford, California: Seismological Society of America. {{OCLC|1604335}}
* ''Teikoku's Complete Atlas of Japan'', Teikoku-Shoin Co., Ltd. Tokyo 1990

==Further reading==
* Aramaki S. (1984), ''Formation of the Aira Caldera, Southern Kyūshū, ~22,000 years ago'', [[Journal of Geophysical Research]], v. 89, issue B10, p.&nbsp;8485.
* [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/7028702  ''Guide-books of the Excursions: Pan-Pacific Science Congress, 1926, Japan.''] Tokyo: Tokyo Printing Co. {{OCLC|7028702}}
* Johnson, H & Kuwahara, S (2016), [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301708292_Sakurajima_Maintaining_an_Island_Essence Sakurajima: Maintaining an island essence], ''Shima: The International Journal of Research into Island Cultures'', vol. 10, no.1, pp.&nbsp;48–66.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sakurajima}}

* [http://www.data.jma.go.jp/svd/vois/data/tokyo/STOCK/souran_eng/volcanoes/090_sakurajima.pdf Sakurajima: National catalogue of the active volcanoes in Japan] - Japan Meteorological Agency
* [http://www.svo.dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/default_e.html Sakurajima Volcano Research Center] - Kyoto University
* [http://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=282080 Aira / Sakurajima, Global Volcanic Program]
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7934418.stm Footage of the March 2009 eruption] - BBC
* [https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/photo/elementary-students-in-hard-hats-high-res-stock-photography/527961044 Schoolchildren in Kagoshima wearing helmets to protect against stones thrown out by the nearby Sakurajima volcano (which is in background)]{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2A3H2XY/japan-kyushu-kagoshima-security-and-evacuation-measure-in-kagoshima-schools-at-the-foot-of-sakurajima-2A3H2XY.jpg Schoolchildren and their teacher wearing helmets]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/@31.5875047,130.6611709,17228m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en Google Earth air view]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/@31.5557964,130.6987992,3a,75y,327.97h,83.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szcUoEKJI9ZYVK29IxJQqsQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en Google Earth ground view approaching Sakurajima from the mainland]
* [https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=282080 Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program (GVP) (entry for Aira /Sakurajima)]

{{Decade Volcanoes}}

{{Good article}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Landforms of Kagoshima Prefecture]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Kyushu]]
[[Category:Stratovolcanoes of Japan]]
[[Category:Subduction volcanoes]]
[[Category:Decade Volcanoes]]
[[Category:Active volcanoes]]
[[Category:VEI-6 volcanoes]]
[[Category:20th-century volcanic events]]
[[Category:Former islands]]
[[Category:Volcanic eruptions in 2022]]
[[Category:Volcanic eruptions in 2023]]