The volcano on uninhabited Anatahan Island in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a US territory, erupted last year and burst back into life again Sunday.

CNMI Emergency Management Office said the volcano sent ash up to 1,000 metres (3,500 feet).

Office director Mark Pangelinan warned Monday any change in wind direction might pose safety and health risks to residents on other islands and to airliners passing nearby.

"As a precautionary measure, we want residents to be prepared. We already advised airlines yesterday, and we ask the general public to cooperate," he said.

Anatahan's volcanic ash plume currently extends north-northwest of the island.

The office said volcanic ash and sulphur gas could be harmful to those with respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.

No one was hurt in the eruption, as was the case last year.

The US Geological Survey warned on April 14 of a "swarm of seismic activity" at Anatahan, heralding renewed activity.

Anatahan is a 33 square kilometre (13 square mile) island, 128 kilometres (80 miles) north of Saipan and just over 322 kilometres (200 miles) north of Guam. It is around 2,250 kilometres (1,400 miles) south of Tokyo.

TERRA.WIRE