Was Japan's volcano eruption linked to its earthquake?
Friday, March 18, 2011 - 22:30
in Earth & Climate
The eruption of the Shinmoedake volcano hundreds of miles away may be linked to the quake, but it's difficult to prove, one scientist says. In general, though, one can easily affect the other.The Shinmoedake volcano on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, 950 miles from the epicenter of last week's magnitude 9 earthquake, spewed ash and rocks up to 2.5 miles into the air March 13. The volcano had erupted Jan. 19 and several times afterward, most recently Feb. 1. Its re-eruption just two days after the massive temblor prompted many to wonder whether the quake could have triggered that event.