That night it contained 17 lava fountains, each 20-50 m in height.

On April 4, lava fountains reached 400 meters high beneath a cloud of ashes about 2 kilometers high.

Vulcanologists have never fully understood the mechanism behind a lava fountain.

Mount Mihara's major eruption in 1986 saw spectacular lava fountains up to 1.6 kilometers high.

Therefore the dangers caused by lava fountains are only adjacent to the erupting volcano.

Over the next few days, the lava fountains became higher and higher, eventually reaching a height of more than 500 meters.

This results in a spectacular display of lava fountains.

The theory that a lava fountain created this unique flow is currently the most accepted theory.

This indicates that a lava fountain probably blasted lava away from its point of origin.

According to news reports, fishermen witnessed lava fountains reaching up to 30 meters (90 feet) tall on December 19.