An increasing trend of the activity at the volcano is shown in the continuous rise of seismic activity detected by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) over the past week.
The alert level for the volcano was raised to „Level 2“ on 2 March, as 17 quakes have been recorded at the beginning of this month.
Earthquakes have been more frequent until 7 March with 5-12 events per day, which result in 10 times of increase. Tremor has not shown significant variations so far.
It suggests that magma, located under the volcano edifice, is able to pressurize and fracture nearby rocks and may create intrusions that eventually allow it to rise further.
Emissions of steam-laden plumes rose approx. 100 meters above the fumarolic vent on the western flank.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency volcano activity update 10 March 2022