An eruption of the Sakurajima volcano in Japan has caused the highest degree of emergency notifications and the evacuation of local communities.

Sunday at 8:05 p.m. local time, the volcano located in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima on the western island of Kyushu erupted, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

About 600,000 residents of Arimura-cho, Furusato-cho, and Kagoshima City, which are within two miles of the crater, have been ordered to evacuate. The region's emergency alert has been elevated to the highest level, level 5, and evacuations have been required.

According to the agency, the volcano is still "very active," The vibrations from the continual explosions and falling debris, including large rocks and ash, can cause the glass to shatter.

According to NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation and an ABC News partner, wind can transport ash and smaller pebbles.

According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, frequent explosive activity has occurred at Sakurajima for generations. Since 1955, there has been ongoing activity at the Minamidake summit cone and crater and occasional activity at the Showa crater since 2006.

According to the Smithsonian, in May 2021 and for the remainder of the year, the number of monthly explosions and ash emissions was much lower compared to the first half of the year.

NHK stated that the prime minister's office had established a task force, which convened a group of officials from several agencies to examine the severity of the disaster.