Hokkaido’s Mount Tokachi erupts

A small eruption has occurred at Mount Tokachi in Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido.

The Sapporo Regional Headquarters of the Japan Meteorological Agency said black smoke was spotted coming from a crater about one kilometer northwest of the summit at around 11:07 a.m. on Wednesday. The plume of smoke rose about 200 meters into the air.

Volcanic tremors were observed for about 45 seconds, and atmospheric vibrations were recorded at a monitoring spot in a sheltering lodge. No large volcanic projectiles have been confirmed.

The volcano is part of the Taisetsusan mountain range. It last erupted in 2004.

The volcanic alert for Mount Tokachi was raised to Level 2 last month due to increased seismic activity around the crater.

Meteorological officials plan to maintain the alert at Level 2, warning that more minor eruptions could follow.