Nothing to do with Mt. Aso?

April 15, 2016

Expert doubts volcano related to M6.5 earthquake, but calls for vigilance

http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160415/p2a/00m/0na/008000c

There is likely no connection between the magnitude-6.5 earthquake that struck Kumamoto on April 14 and the nearby Mount Aso volcano, a geologist has told the Mainichi Shimbun, though he did call for continued careful observation of the volcano.

Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture is near the two faults that caused the earthquake, as are the Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture and Mount Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture. All are active.

Associate professor of geology Ryusuke Imura of Kagoshima University says, "Mount Aso has become volcanically active a number of times, but an earthquake like this has not occurred (at the same time), and it is also difficult to imagine that (the earthquake) will cause Mount Aso to erupt."

However, he added, "We should observe Mount Aso yet more carefully so we don't miss even a small change occurring there."