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Miyakejima is an island in the Izu group, southeast of Honshu, Japan. It is volcanic in origin, and the main volcano, Mount Oyama, has erupted several times in recent history. A lava flow in 1940 killed 11 people, and other eruptions occurred in 1962 and 1983. [1] (http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/north_asia/miyakejima/oyama.html)
On July 14, 2000, Mount Oyama began another series of eruptions, and by September, the island was completely evacuated. After a four-year period of volcanic emissions, residents were allowed to return permanently on February 1, 2005.
Miyakejima is famous for its traditional taiko performances, known as kamitsuki kiyari taiko, as well as being home to the rare endemic Izu Thrush. [2] (http://www.asahi.com/english/vox/TKY200502030145.html)
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