Japan weather agency says Papua New Guinea volcano erupted, assessing possible tsunami risk to Japan

TOKYO (AP) — The Japan Meteorological Agency says a volcano in Papua New Guinea has erupted and it is assessing a possible risk of a tsunami for the Japanese coasts. Mount Ulawun on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea erupted at around 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT) Monday, spewing volcanic smoke as high as 15,000 meters (50,000 feet). The Japanese agency said it is quoting the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia. The agency says it assessing a possible impact, including the risk of a tsunami approaching Japan later Monday. First tsunami waves could reach Izu and Ogasawara islands later Monday, about three hours after the shaking caused by the eruption. The agency said it could not immediately predict a possible size of a tsunami.