Indonesia’s Sinabung Volcano Erupts, Spews Ash Columns Up to 5,000M High

Jakarta – Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, Indonesia, erupted on Tuesday, spewing ash columns up to 5,000 meters high, authorities said.

The ash column towered 4,000 to 5,000 meters above the peak. The volcano has spewed hot clouds 13 times from 6:42 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. local time, head of the Karo regency’s Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) told media.

People were advised to not do activities outside their homes or to use masks to avoid the adverse effect of volcanic ash. More than 37 villages in North Sumatra province are affected by volcanic ash.

A level-III warning or alert status for the volcano was issued by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG).

Sinabung reactivated in 2010 for the first time in four centuries. Eruptions killed a total of 23 people in 2014 and 2016.