Sakurajima, located off the southern coast of Kyushu, Japan, is recognized as one of the world's most active volcanoes, with over a thousand eruptions annually. The volcano rises 3,664 feet (1,117 meters) above Kagoshima Bay and has been erupting for approximately 13,000 years. Its accessibility is notable; visitors can reach it within half an hour of landing at the nearest airport, making it a prime location for observing volcanic activity. Volcanologist Tom Pfeiffer highlights the potential for witnessing spectacular eruptions within just a few hours of arrival.
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As one of the world's most active volcanoes, Sakurajima can erupt more than a thousand times a year.
It's also one of the most accessible volcanoes. "You can get off a plane, rent a car, and be there in half an hour," says Tom Pfeiffer, a volcanologist and photographer who captured these images. "In three or four hours, there's a good chance to see really beautiful eruptions."
Sakurajima first erupted about 13,000 years ago inside a much older volcanic crater. Today its cone rises 3,664 feet (1,117 meters) above Kagoshima Bay (map) off the southern coast of the island of Kyushu.
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