Volcano erupts in Japan, compounding problems in disaster-ravaged country

PanARMENIAN.Net - A volcano has erupted in Japan, compounding the problems in the disaster-ravaged country.

Following the megaquake and resulting tsunami which took the lives of thousands along the east coast, the Shinmoedake volcano in south-western Japan erupted March 14, sending ash and rock over two miles into the air.

The explosion shattered windows as far as four miles away, adding to the terror the country has suffered over the past few days.

An area of over a mile around the volcano, located in the Kirishima range on the southern Kyushu island, was evacuated and hundreds fled as roasting hot ash rained down from the mountain, according to Daily Mail.

A volcano warning at level three out of five is currently in place, but that could be increased since it is believed a dome if lava is now forming in the crater.

It is not yet known if the eruption 950 miles from the epicenter of the 8.9-magnitude earthquake was triggered by the resulting seismic activity.

It is the second time this year the 1,421-meter volcano has erupted.