Sakurajima volcano (Japan) awakes with a series of powerful explosions

Sakurajima volcano (Japan) awakes with a series of powerful explosions

SO2 plume from Sakurajima volcano (NOAA)

Forecasted ash plume from the explosion this morning (VAAC Tokyo)

After 10 days of almost no activity, the volcano has woken up violently with 3 powerful explosions last night (at 22:05 and 23:58 UTC, ash plumes to 10-13,000 ft) and this morning at 04:26. The eruption this morning appears to be one of the largest explosions for a long time, producing an ash plume rising to 16-20,000 ft (5-6 km) altitude. An SO2 plume is also visible on satellite data. 
Tokyo VAAC issued a warning of an ash plume drifting SE at flight level 200 (20,000 ft altitude).