Active Volcano South of Tokyo May Cause Major Flight Delays in Japan

Residents of a tiny volcanic island 600 miles south of Tokyo are taking increased seismic activity detected on Mount Shindake by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) seriously. Kuchierabujima's 100 residents have been asked to prepare for evacuation in response to volcanic earthquakes and sulfur emissions; it's been recommended that the disabled "leave the island immediately," according to Newsweek.

A Level 4 warning — the second highest — has been issued for the area, only three miles wide, as of Wednesday.

Mount Shindake last erupted in 2015, according to Reuters, "sending ash and smoke thousands of meters into the sky and releasing potentially deadly pyroclastic flows, flows of super-heated ash and gas, that reached the sea."

Although there have been no eruptions yet, if Mount Shindake does blow, debris emitted from the 2,155-foot volcano could potentially delay air travel in Southern Japan.

We will update this post with waivers issued by any affected airlines.

H/T: Newsweek

Photo via JIJI PRESS/AFP for Getty Images.