Airline flights in Japan have been cancelled as a volcano located in southern Japan spewed magma during an explosive eruption that sent ash clouds a kilometer into the atmosphere.

Mount Aso's eruption is the latest disaster to occur in Japan during a series of increasing earthquakes and seismic activity that started last August. This is the volcano's first active eruption after 10 years.

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The volcano is located in the Asosan caldera, which is one of Japan's most active volcanic clusters. More than a dozen flights bound for Kumamoto were cancelled.

Kumamoto is the city nearest the volcano. Ash from the eruption fell on towns and communities within 25 miles from the volcano.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency said the eruption was a level 2 out of a possible five level of warning. Experts don't anticipate this eruption will strengthen, however. Webcams installed by the agency have been tracking any volcanic activity.

Mt. Aso erupted at level 2 a number of times between 1989 and 1994. The volcano is located at Kyushu Island some 600 miles southwest of Tokyo.

Mt. Aso is also one of the world's largest volcanoes and is located in one of the world's largest calderas with a span of 75 miles.

Its central cone group has a collection of five peaks with the tallest at 5,200 feet above sea level. Its caldera generated massive eruptions in the past. An eruption 90,000 years ago covered the entire Kyushu region with volcanic ash.

Mount Aso is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can peek inside the crater, which is just a minute's walk from the park.

Last September, the unexpected eruption of Mount Ontake located in west of Tokyo killed more than 90 people.

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