Volcanic eruptions in Japan and Indonesia are disrupting international flights.

Southern Japan's Mount Kirishima sprang to life suddenly on Thursday, sending a cloud of ash nearly two miles into the air.

It spewed more hot ash and rocks for a second day on Friday, forcing the closure of Miyazaki airport, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

A wide area around the volcano has been smothered in a layer of ash, prompting schools to close and homes near the slopes to be evacuated.

Indonesia has also suffered flight cancellations after continuing eruptions from Mount Bromo in East Java.

Several airlines have cancelled flights to Indonesia's top tourist island of Bali because of volcanic ash and visitors have been barred from going within a two-kilometres radius of Mount Bromo.