Drone captures dramatic footage of erupting volcano in Japan

Incredible footage shot by a drone has captured the intensity of a Japanese volcano which erupted for the first time in six years.

Smoke and ash can be seen spewing from the Shinmoedake volcano in the Japanese prefecture of Kyushu, with a plume rising up to 2,000 meters (5,600 ft) above the crater, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency.

The drone footage was captured by storm chaser James Reynolds, who used a DJI Mavic Pro.

The footage was filmed on Thursday as he was stood 2.5km (1.5 miles) away from the volcano, at a neighbouring extinct crater called the Onami Crater. Reynolds added that he needed no permission to fly the drone.

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However, he admits that he was "pretty cautious" about filming in the area.

"I wasn't really nervous but was very aware that the situation could escalate at any moment. The main threat would be lava bombs thrown out if the eruption turned explosive so I made sure I had my helmet with me and scoped out a few hiding spots in case rocks came raining down," Reynolds told Mashable.

He also adds that his drone got "quite a bit of ash on it" but still managed to function properly after.

The 1,421 metre (4,662 ft) high volcano first began erupting on Wednesday but continued through Thursday, affecting at least four cities and towns in the neighbouring prefectures of Kagoshima and Miyazaki.

A video taken by an onlooker from a nearby golf course also shows the volcano as it first spewed ash on Wednesday.

Residents have also been warned to stay away, as authorities raised its volcanic alert to level three.

The last time the volcano erupted was in Sept. 2011.