Japanese volcano suddenly sprayed smoke ash columns 3.5km high

After an unusual "quiet" period, Sakurajima volcano in Kyushu, Japan island suddenly sprayed ash columns, smoke up to 3.5km into the air.

According to RT on May 1, this volcano normally has small eruptions, but it stopped working immediately before Kyushu was 7.0 earthquake on April 17.

Sakurajima volcano moment sprayed on April 30 - (Photo taken from video clip).

From April 29, it began to operate again with multiple sprays of ash and smoke. On April 30, it sprayed ash columns, smoke up to 3.5 km into the air and this spectacular moment was recorded by Tokyo University webcams. Many streams of hot air and rocks also slide down next to the volcano.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warns that volcanoes will continue to spray ash and suggest people around the area be alert.

Columns of ash, smoke rising up from the floodwaters of Sakurajima volcano.

Sakurajima volcano is located only 50km from Sendai nuclear plant. Its strongest eruption was in 1914, with hot lava filled with gaps between Kyushu and the mainland, turning Kyushu into a peninsula.

In February of this year, it suddenly sprayed lava down the ridge, causing the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue an orange warning.

Video of volcanic eruption moments in Japan - (Source: RT / YouTube).