Indonesia: Volcano Eruption Spews Ash Clouds, Unleashes Lava River

Indonesia’s most active volcano erupted on Wednesday, sending clouds of smoke into the area and eroding lava from the slopes to 1,500 meters.

According to the Associated Press, Hanik Humaida, head of the Yogyakarta Volcano and Geological Survey, said it was the largest lava flow from Mount Merapi. Authorities identified the threat last November.

Authorities in November evacuated about 2,000 people living in the mountains of Magelang and Sleman districts on the island of Java.

Despite the threat, several residents returned to their areas. They has not been asked to evacuate since.

Authorities in Central Java and Yogyakarta have issued warnings and local authorities in the area have asked the general public to stay away from the volcanic area.

The administration is keeping a close watch on the situation by declaring a 5 km radius around here as a dangerous area.

The volcano, measuring 2,968 meters near the ancient city of Yogyakarta on the densely populated island of Java, Indonesia.

Among dozens of volcanoes in Indonesia, the one that erupted near Yogyakarta is the most active and has erupted several times with lava flows of gas.

Earlier in 2010, a huge volcano erupted from Mount Merapi, killing 347 people.

The Indonesian peninsula near the Pacific Ocean has a population of 270 million and has been the epicenter of earthquakes and volcanoes.