Indonesian volcano awakened after more than 400 years

A volcano in western Indonesia sprayed lava and ash into the early morning sun, leaving tens of thousands of people evacuated.

The ash fly up from Sinabung volcano on August 29.Photo: AFP

AP quoted Surono, a volcanic expert of the Indonesian government, who said Sinabung volcano in northern Sumatra province began to shake from a few days ago. In the early morning of August 29, it blew sand and ash into the air, forming a column of dust with a height of about 1,500 m. However, lava only flows near the crater, so it does not cause serious damage.

"Only dust covers trees," Mr. Surono said.

According to Surono, the latest eruption of Sinabung volcano took place in 1600. So scientists do not know what kind of activity it is to follow.

The evacuation campaign of people living near the Sinabung volcano began on August 27, soon after the signs of its eruption were discovered. About 10,000 people were taken to government buildings, cathedrals and centers for evacuees in two cities near the volcano.

Priyadi Kardono, a spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Management Bureau, announced the government distributed 7,000 masks and erected public kitchens to evacuate cooks.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is an area of ​​frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions surrounding the Pacific basin.