Volcano eruption threatens to spark NUCLEAR catastrophe

Last time it erupted in 2013, it coated the nearby city Kagoshima in ash.

That plume reached 5,000 meters high and lava flowed about a kilometre from the fissure.

The eruption comes hours before a massive 6.4 magnitude earthquake just a few hundred miles south in Tawian where hundreds of people are feared trapped in several collapsed buildings.

The latest eruption occured 50 km from a nuclear powerplant.

Local news network NHK showed footage of a plume of smoke emerging from the volcano which sent ash 2km into the air.

The eruption has been categorised as a Level 3 emergency, but there have been no reports of damage or injuries as of yet.

Locals have been told to stay away from the volcano.

The nearby nuclear plant only reopened last year, after it was shut down for four years following the devestating earthquake and tsunami in 2011 which triggered a meltdown.

However, officials have said that the plant will operate as normal, and that locals are safe.

Kazuhiro Ishihara, an emeritus professor at Kyoto University, told local media: "It appears that stones have been thrown about 2 km from the crater, but this area is quite far from any communities.”

The volcano is located on the island of Kyushu – southwest of Japan – and is known for its frequent eruptions.

Kyushu is home to just over 13 million people and sits on top of the Japanese 'ring of fire', where there are around 100 active volcanoes.

(dailystar.co.uk)