Volcano Quiet for 400 Years Erupts in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A volcano in western Indonesia spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years.Government volcanologist Surono, who uses only one name, said Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province started rumbling a few days ago and the minor morning eruption has mostly stopped.It sent sand and ash up to a mile (1.5 kilometers) high but lava only moved near its crater. It caused no major damage and “only dust covered plants and trees,” he said.He said Mount Sinabung last erupted in 1600, so observers don’t know the volcano’s eruption pattern and are monitoring it closely for more activity.Evacuations on the volcano’s slopes started Friday at the first signs of activity. Up to 10,000 people who fled are staying in government buildings, houses of worship and other evacuation centers in two nearby towns.The government has distributed 7,000 masks to refugees and set up public kitchens so people can cook food, said Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, is on the so-called “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/29/volcano-quiet-years-erupts-indonesia/

In the early morning in North Sumatra, Indonesia today, The Mount Sinabung Volcano finally erupted after 400 years. Known as Gunung Sinabung among Indonesians, the volcano forced over 18,000 people from 14 different villages to evacuate the area. Upon the eruption, Ash was seen spewing into the sky, up to 1 mile high and lava was flowing from the center of the crater at a relatively quick pace. Mount Sinabung is situated in the Karo Plateau, and has been considered an inactive volcano since the 1600s.Reportedly, there has only been 1 fatality from the incident. It was an elderly person who developed respiratory failure while fleeing the scene. Luckily no one else has been harmed, and no hazardous gas has been found to be coming from the volcano.Masks have been provided to 7,000 refugees by the Indonesian government, who has also set up kitchens so people can have food.“The situation is under control. Emergency response teams are already on the scene,” said Priyadi Kardono of the National Disaster Management Agency.

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