Erupting Japanese Volcano Covers 4 Cities With Ash

(TOKYO) — A volcano in southwestern /react-text react-text: 223 Japan /react-text react-text: 224 has erupted for the first time in six years and spread ash in nearby cities and towns. /react-text

react-text: 226 Japanese broadcaster TBS showed footage of elementary school students wearing helmets and masks on the way to their school at the foot of the Shinmoedake volcano. Residents also described rumbles being heard from the volcano. /react-text

react-text: 229 The report said a plume rose 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) from the crater and ash fell in at least four cities and towns in Miyazaki prefecture on Thursday. /react-text

react-text: 231 The volcano on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures erupted Wednesday for the first time in 6 years. /react-text

react-text: 233 The /react-text react-text: 235 Japan Meteorological Agency /react-text react-text: 236 raised the volcanic alert level from 2 to 3 on a scale of 5. Level 3 warns people to not approach the volcano.