People have been warned to stay away from the Semeru volcano in Indonesia as it erupts

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Early on Sunday (Dec 19), Indonesia's Semeru volcano on Java island erupted, releasing a 2km high ash column and forcing authorities to issue a warning to residents to keep away from the eruption range.

The eruption of Semeru, Java's tallest mountain, earlier this month blasted ash clouds and pyroclastic flows that killed at least 46 people and left many others missing, as well as displacing others.

 

According to Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, the early morning eruption produced dense white and grey ash clouds (PVMBG).

Due to the possibility of lava flow, the agency cautioned neighbouring inhabitants not to undertake any activity within a 5km radius of the eruption centre and to keep a 500m distance from riversides.

People should not conduct any activity within 13 kilometres southeast of the eruption centre, according to PVMBG.

With 142 volcanoes, Indonesia has the world's highest population living within 10 kilometres of a volcano, with 8.6 million people living within 10 kilometres.