Mount Aso, volcano in southern Japan erupts, sending black and white smoke high into the air

In this image taken from a surveillance camera observed from Kusasenri and released by Japan Meteorological Agency, a column of black smoke rises from Mount Aso, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. Mount Aso, a volcano on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, has erupted, sending huge plumes of black and then white smoke 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) into the air. (Japan Meteorological Agency via AP) CREDIT MANDATORY (The Associated Press)

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Japan's Meteorological Agency Volcanology Division Director Sadayuki Kitagawa speaks during a news conference on the eruption of Mount Aso, at the agency head office in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. Mount Aso, a volcano on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, has erupted, sending huge plumes of black and then white smoke 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) into the air. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

Mount Aso, a volcano on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, has erupted, sending huge plumes of black and then white smoke 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) into the air.

The eruption Monday prompted authorities to raise the alert level for the area, banning people from approaching within 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) of the volcano's mouth.

There are no homes within that area and there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the eruption fired bits of volcanic rock, smoke and steam flying. It was unclear if there was any volcanic flow from the mountain.

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