Mount Ontake in Japan erupted, injuring dozens of people and stranding tourists on the mountain on Sept. 27.
The eruption caused the surrounding area to be covered in ash and debris. The incident marked the first time in seven years that the geological feature, which rises more than 10,000 feet above ground level, released smoke and lava.
The volcano lies between the Nagano and Gifu prefectures and is a popular destination spot for visitors who come to view autumn foliage on the volcano. It's about 130 miles west of Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a level three threat at 11:36 a.m. on Sept. 26 EDT, advising people not to approach the volcano.
The eruption sent ash and debris more than two miles down the slope of the mountain. Domestic flights over Japan had to be re-routed to avoid debris. International flights coming into Tokyo were not affected by the release, but the Haneda Airport reported delays of 40 to 50 minutes for flights within Japan.
Tiny particles, pushed high up into the air by volcanoes, can enter the air intakes of commercial aircraft. Heated by tremendous temperatures inside the engines, the particles can be transformed into glass, clogging the mechanism and posing a flight risk.
Initial reports of a woman killed in the incident were later retracted by fire department officials in the prefecture of Nagano in the evening of Sept. 27, according to NHK, a local media outlet.
At least 10 people were knocked unconscious by the blast, according to early reports from local emergency officials.
Over 270 people were stuck on the mountain immediately following the release. Around 230 were able to make their way down the slope on the first day, while 41 others were expected to attempt the descent the following day.
"The eruption forced hundreds of climbers to take refuge in mountain huts," NHK reporters posted the updates.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered the military to assist in rescue efforts. The government of Nagano also sent 80 people to help out. They were joined by a team of emergency medical workers from the Kiso Prefectural Hospital located near the volcano. The healthcare center is expecting large numbers of injured people to come in following the incident.
"It's all white outside; it looks like it has snowed. There is very bad visibility and we can't see the top of the mountain. All we can do now is shut up the hut and then we are planning on coming down ... This is a busy season because of the changing autumn leaves. It's one of our busiest seasons," said Mari Tezuka, an employee at a mountain hut for tourists.
