Ash wafted as high as 5 kilometres above the Sakurajima volcano in the southern city of Kagoshima on Sunday afternoon, forming the highest plume since the Japan Meteorological Agency started keeping records in 2006. Lava flowed about a kilometre from the fissure, with several huge volcanic rocks rolling down the mountainside. "The smoke was a bit dramatic, but we are kind of used to it," said a city official who requested anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the media. Sunday's eruption was the 500th this year of Sakurajima, a statement from the city said. The Japan Meteorological Agency has not changed its guidance on the mountain beyond warning people not to venture near the volcano itself. It says there are no signs of a larger eruption but similar activity may continue. Japan is on the "Ring of Fire," the seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean, and has frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.