Indonesia's Mount Semeru Erupts Exactly 1 Year After Volcano's Last Major Eruption Killed 51
A year after its last major eruption, Indonesia's Mount Semeru is at it again — and prompting worry and evacuations.
The volcano, located in Lumajang, East Java, sent columns of ash about 5,000 feet into the sky on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. The news agency reported that the eruption was triggered by monsoon rains, which eroded and collapsed the volcano's lava dome.
Although as of Monday afternoon there have been no reports of casualties, but nearby towns and villages, including Sumberwuluh and Supiturang, were covered in ash, according to the news agency.
Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock Mount Semeru eruption
So far, over 2,400 people have evacuated, reported CBS News.
"The military, police, local disaster and village officials keep evacuating people in Curah Kobokan where the hot ash cloud and cold lava might travel," Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency, said in an interview, according to the news outlet.
CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Shutterstock Mount Semeru
One local official said that a number of villagers chose to leave their home after hearing the grumblings from the volcano.
"They have learned an important lesson on how to avoid the danger of eruption," Lumajang district chief Thoriqul Haq told the AP, referring to last year's Dec. 4 eruption, which killed 51 and left hundreds more injured.
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As of Monday, local officials have said that there appears to be less volcanic activity, but they've also warned that the danger period isn't over.
"What we worry about is economic activities such as sand mining. We want to make sure the route where the hot ash cloud and the cold lava might travel is completely free of activity," Muhari said, according to CBS News.
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Although a state of emergency will be in place for two weeks, many who sought shelter have since returned to their homes, per the outlet.
To help reduce any respiratory issues associated with the volcanic ash, Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said that thousands of cloth and medical masks have been distributed.
Indonesia, which is home to over 276 million, is particularly susceptible to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes as it is located on an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin known as the "Ring of Fire."
Earlier this month, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia, killing over 300 people, according to The New York Times.
"The majority who died were hit by buildings. Some were hit on the head," said Herman Suherman, head of the Cianjur regency, where the quake was centered, per The Washington Post. "All you can hear here is ambulance sirens everywhere."
