Volcano Erupts on Island Near Tokyo

A newly reawakened volcano erupted Friday on a small island near Tokyo, spewing a massive column of gray-black ash five miles into the air. More than 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes.

It was the largest eruption from 2,686-foot Mount Oyama, which dominates the resort island of Miyake, since the volcano ended a 17-year slumber and began stirring last month. Though no injuries or damage were reported, ash and steam rose into the sky 120 miles south of Tokyo on a day when nerves in Japan’s capital were already frayed by a series of earthquakes.