Fact Check: Southern Japan is on high alert as the powerful Shinmoedake volcano has erupted with violent force blasting a massive ash cloud 3,000 meters into the sky. The eruption has blanketed towns across Kagoshima and Miyazaki in thick layers of grey ash turning roads into ghost paths and burying crops and rooftops under a choking coat of volcanic dust.

Fact Check: "Southern Japan is on high alert as the powerful Shinmoedake volcano has erupted with violent force blasting a massive ash cloud 3,000 meters into the sky."

What We Know

The claim regarding the eruption of the Shinmoedake volcano in southern Japan has some basis in fact. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed that on July 3, 2025, a strong explosive eruption occurred, sending an ash plume up to 6.7 kilometers (22,000 feet) above sea level, significantly higher than the 3,000 meters mentioned in the claim (source-2). This eruption generated substantial ashfall that affected both Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, leading local authorities to issue advisories for residents to stay indoors and take precautions against ashfall (source-7).

Prior to this event, the JMA had raised the volcanic alert level to Level 3 on June 27, 2025, due to increased volcanic activity, including volcanic earthquakes and elevated sulfur dioxide emissions (source-2). Reports indicated that ashfall had indeed blanketed towns across the Kagoshima and Miyazaki regions, affecting visibility and daily life (source-6).

Analysis

While the claim accurately describes the eruption's impact on local communities, it underestimates the height of the ash plume, which reached 6.7 kilometers, rather than the 3,000 meters stated. This discrepancy is significant as it reflects the severity of the eruption. The JMA's reports are credible, as they are the authoritative source on volcanic activity in Japan, and their data is supported by observations from multiple agencies (source-1).

The mention of roads being turned into "ghost paths" and crops being buried under ash aligns with the reports of significant ashfall affecting daily life in the region (source-2). However, the claim lacks specific details about the extent of the ashfall and the official responses from local authorities, which were crucial in managing the situation (source-7).

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with the JMA being a government agency responsible for monitoring volcanic activity, and the Global Volcanism Program providing historical context and data on volcanic eruptions (source-1). The reporting from news outlets also corroborates the official data, although they may have varying levels of detail and emphasis.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the eruption's impact on the Kagoshima and Miyazaki regions, it misrepresents the height of the ash plume, which was significantly higher than stated. The overall situation reflects a serious volcanic event that has affected local communities, but the details regarding the eruption's scale and the official responses are crucial for understanding the full context.

Sources

1. Global Volcanism Program | Kirishimayama Link
2. Explosive eruption at Shinmoedake blankets parts of ... Link
3. Image of 'Japanese volcano spewing lava and ash' is AI- ... Link
4. Mount Shinmoedake Erupts After 7 Years! 500m Plume, Alert ... Link
5. Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano Erupts in Kagoshima, Spews ... Link
6. SHINMOEDAKE VOLCANO ERUPTS – SOUTHERN JAPAN ON EDGE Link
7. Overall Green alert Volcanic eruption for Kirishimayama Link
8. Government experts monitoring Mount Shinmoedake for ... Link