Japan's Mt Aso erupts, spews smoke 700 metres into air

Tokyo: Mount Aso in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture erupted on Monday, but the weather agency said the eruption was small.

Monday's eruption marked the first time Mt. Aso had erupted since October 23, with the latest eruption sending plumes of smoke about 700 metres above the first crater of Mt Nakadake, which is one of the five peaks comprising the volcano, Xinhua quoted Japan's meteorological agency as saying.

Mt Aso is the largest and one of the most active volcanoes in Japan with its peak at 1,592 metres above sea level.

The volcano's huge caldera was formed after an ancient eruption causing the original collapse of the mouth of the volcano and dominates the skyline of the main island of Kyushu.