Mount Merapi erupts again

Agus Budi Santoso, head of Indonesia's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center, stated that the rock and lava flow triggered by the eruption of Merapi spread over a two-kilometer area at the foot of the volcano.

Santoso noted that the hot ash and gas cloud released by the eruption, which caused no loss of life, covered the sky in some towns.

Two more volcanoes become active

A statement from Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation indicated that Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki also erupted today, spewing ash to a height of 700 meters, prompting 6,500 people in the region to flock to shelters.

It was also noted that Mount Marapi in western Sumatra has erupted for the third time this month; while it did not spew lava, 500 people in the region were evacuated.

Semeru and Ibu volcanoes erupted yesterday

The statement, which also pointed to lava rivers from Mount Semeru in eastern Java and the eruption of Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island, which spewed ash to a height of 1,300 meters, called on authorities to begin evacuations.

Approximately a quarter of a million people live within a 10-kilometer radius of Merapi, the most active volcano in Indonesia. Authorities have warned local residents to stay at least seven kilometers away from the volcanic crater.

Indonesia, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where seismic activity and volcanic eruptions are most frequent, is home to more than 120 active volcanoes.

News Source: 12punto