Central Japan volcano erupts again

Mount Asama spewed gray smoke into the air twice early Wednesday, erupting for the second straight day. One of Japan's largest and most active volcanoes, Mount Asama discharged columns of smoke over 1,000 feet high in two small eruptions hours apart, the Meteorological Agency said.

The volcano spewed ash that fell on Karuizawa, a resort town about six miles away, during the second eruption. No accompanying earthquakes were detected, the agency said.

The 8,474-foot mountain is about 90 miles west of Tokyo and 30 miles southeast of Nagano, site of the 1998 Winter Olympics.

The Meteorological Agency warned residents to stay out of a 2.5-mile radius surrounding Mount Asama's crater, saying it expected additional small- to medium-sized eruptions.

Wednesday's flares followed three small eruptions on Tuesday, when Mount Asama spewed smoke and rained ash onto nearby towns. On Sept. 1, a medium-sized eruption poured molten rock, ash, and smoke down the mountain's slopes.

Mount Asama has had several minor eruptions in recent years. In 1947, molten rocks struck and killed 11 mountaineers on its slopes. Its last major eruption was in 1783.

Japan has 108 active volcanoes and lies in the "Pacific Ring of Fire" a string of volcanoes and fault lines that outlines the Pacific Ocean.

Source: Agencies