Japan's Mt. Aso has small eruption, spews smoke 700 meters into air

Mount Aso in Japan's southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture erupted Monday morning, but the weather agency said the eruption was small.

According to Japan's Meteorological Agency, Monday's eruption marked the first time Mt. Aso had erupted since Oct. 23, with the latest eruption sending plumes of smoke about 700 meters above the No. 1 crater of Mt. Nakadake, which is one of the five peaks comprising the volcano.

Mt. Aso is the largest and one of the most active volcanos in Japan with its peak at 1,592 meters above sea level.

The volcano's huge caldera was formed after an ancient eruption causing the original collapse of the mouth of the volcano and dominates the skyline of the southwestern main island of Kyushu.