DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Mother Nature has flexed her muscle in Japan overnight. For more and details, we go down to Atlanta, where CNN -- at CNN center, where Linda Stouffer is standing by. Good morning, Linda.</s>LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, David. Mount Usu erupted today on Japan's northernmost main island. Smoke spewed from the mountain, along with volcanic ash and rock. For the latest, here's CNN's Marina Kamimura.</s>MARINA KAMIMURA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Smoke and steam rose from the side of Mount Usu, when the volcano finally awoke from its 22-year slumber. Ash and rock flying from its crater made good those expert predictions that the volcano would erupt this week. Thousands of quakes had preceded Mount Usu's eruption, giving authorities days to prepare. Some of the roughly 10,000 people who had been asked to leave their homes where forced to move even further away after the eruption. Authorities feared mud slides triggered by melting snow at the top of the volcano. In 1978, the last time Usu erupted, mud slides killed three people and destroyed more than 200 houses. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi has instructed his Cabinet to do everything it can to help affected residents. Japan's self-defense forces and hundreds of police are in the area, helping with the relief effort and making sure no one approaches areas considered dangerous. They have history on their side. In 1991, 40 people, mainly journalists and interested observers, were killed after they ignored warnings to stay away following a volcanic eruption in southern Japan. Marina Kamimura, CNN, Tokyo.
Japan's Mount Usu Erupts, Forcing Thousands From Their Homes