A significant increase in seismic activity in the form of volcanic earthquakes since Friday, March 28th, has prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to raise its volcanic alert for Mt. Shinmoedake from a Level 2 to a Level 3 with urgency, amid concerns the massive volcano may erupt any day. Not since 2018 and its last eruption in March of that same year has the agency raised the level to 3 on the stratovolcano that sits within the Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyūshū, Japan, and is a part of the Mount Kirishima cluster of volcanoes. However, the agency has indicated that volcanic earthquakes have increased since last Friday, and that “swelling of the mountain” has also been confirmed. The raised Level 3 alert warning from Japan’s Meteorological Agency comes with stern instructions for visitors: Entry is prohibited to the mountain area due to increased seismic activity and the risk of volcanic rocks reaching areas within 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) of the volcano’s crater. "Volcano warning issued for Kirishimayama (Shinmoedake) (near crater) (Volcanic alert Level 3: Do not approach the volcano). An eruption may occur. Follow local government's instructions and stay away from dangerous areas," the disaster management agency said on X. Currently, no evacuation orders have been issued for the area around Mt. Shinmoedake. However, the agency is prepared to issue mandatory evacuations swiftly if the volcanic earthquakes continue to increase and more changes develop in the mountain’s structure. “If an eruption occurs, it is possible that small ash deposits and small cinders may fall beyond the four-kilometer range. People need to be cautious,” said Tomoyuki Kanno, director of the agency’s Volcanic Observation Division, at a press conference Sunday morning.