TOKYO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Mount Kirishima on the southwestern Japanese main island of Kyushu erupted on Thursday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

According to the weather agency's preliminary information, the eruption at the 1,700 meters high group of volcanoes occurred at 3:43 p.m. local time, close to Mt. Io.

Mt. Kirishima is one of a number of volcanoes in the Ebino highlands region, which straddle both Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures.

The JMA has issued a level 3 warning to the public not to approach the volcano and has warned of the possibility of pyroclastic flows.