In Spectacular Show, Usu Erupts Again

A volcano on Japan’s northernmost main island, Hokkaido, erupted twice today, a day after it roared to life, sending a spectacular plume of molten rock and ash billowing two miles above the crater and rolling down the snow-quilted slopes.

Mt. Usu ejected smoke and brightened the sky before dawn, and erupted again a few hours later. Experts said the blasts appeared to be less powerful than Friday’s.

However, Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned: “Volcanic activities are intensifying and even larger eruptions . . . are highly likely.”

Ash dusted silent, evacuated villages near Mt. Usu after the major eruption Friday afternoon. The only noise came from sirens and ambulances, and from police cars cruising in search of damage.

Farther away from the volcano, people streamed into the streets and climbed on roofs to watch the towering cloud that blossomed from the eruption.

But those in the nearby city of Date who weren’t looking out a window would barely have known that 2,402-foot Mt. Usu was erupting. “I didn’t feel anything, I didn’t hear anything,” said Norimichi Nagao, who works for the city of Date. “I didn’t even know that there was an eruption until I saw it on television.”

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the eruptions. But more than 11,000 people who were evacuated from communities near the volcano earlier this week spent Friday night in rescue centers.

Snow fell Friday evening, increasing concerns about mudslides in the lakeside resort area.

Almost immediately after the first eruption, volcanic ash began to rain on nearby towns. Residents downwind were soon enveloped by the pungent smell of sulfur.

Some area residents expressed a mixture of relief and anxiety at the eruption after days of small but constant earthquakes and alerts.

“I’m happy I’m safe, but I’m afraid this will do huge damage to my business,” said 53-year-old scallop cultivator Yomiko Yasuko.