Hi All,

Here's a news story about Mt. Asama and its current condition:

Japanese volcano could erupt after quakes

TOKYO (AP) - Authorities issued a volcano warning Saturday for Mount Asama in central Japan after earthquakes were detected in the area. Residents were not ordered to evacuate.

Japan's Meteorological Agency said more than 200 small earthquakes had shaken the mountainous Gunma and Nagano prefectures (states) between 1 a.m. (1600 GMT Friday) and 8 a.m. (2300 GMT Friday), indicating possible underground volcanic activity.

The 2,568-meter (8,474-foot) tall Mt. Asama is an active volcano near the resort town of Karuizawa, located some 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of Tokyo.

The agency said temperatures inside the crater have been rising since May. Smoke has also been seen pouring from the mountain in recent weeks, it said.

Mt. Asama last rumbled to life in 1990. In 1947, 11 mountaineers were killed after being struck by molten rocks on the mountain.

The volcano's last major eruption was in 1783. - AP