Japan: Coastguards investigate water plume mystery

Japan’s coastguard sent aircraft today to investigate reports of a one kilometre – (3,300-foot) high column of water vapour that shot up from the Pacific Ocean near Iwo Jima – a possible sign of volcanic activity – officials said.

Japanese troops stationed on the small island reported seeing the massive, cloudy plume rise from the sea on Saturday night about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of the island, said Maritime Self-Defence Forces spokesman Hiroshi Shirai.