Mount Asama volcano erupts northwest of Tokyo

TERRA.WIRE

Mount Asama volcano erupts northwest of Tokyo
TOKYO (AFP) Sep 01, 2004
A volcano northwest of the Japanese capital Tokyo erupted Wednesday night, spewing out rocks in its biggest blast in 21 years, the Meteorological Agency said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage following the eruption of the 2,568-meter (8.474-foot) Mount Asama, 150 kilometersmiles) northwest of the capital.

"There is a need for caution but it is not st the level where people need to run away," said agency official Yuji Nishimae.

Rocks from the volcano were thrown over a wide area, the agency said, without elaborating.

Television footage showed burning red embers at the volcano's cap. Nishimae said it was not clear if that meant lava had escaped.