Volcano near Tokyo erupts

Mount Asama, which is located 95 mi/150 km northwest of Tokyo, experienced a small eruption on 2 February 2009 at approximately 0151 local time. There were no reports of injuries or major damage in the sparsely populated area, although ash reportedly rained down on parts of Tokyo after the eruption. The Meteorological Agency of Japan raised the alert level to 3 (with 5 being the highest level) around the volcano to prevent people from entering the area prior to an eruption. An official stated that volcanic rocks could fall within 2 mi/4 km of the crater.