Hanoi (VNA) – Ibu volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on May 13, throwing ash up to 5km above its peak, local media reported.
Local authorities said this is one of the biggest eruptions in recent months.
The grey-black ash column was observed with thick intensity, leaning towards the west, Indonesia’s Geology Agency head Muhammad Wafid said.
Wafid urged nearby residents to wear facemasks and glasses when going outdoors to protect against falling volcanic ash.
No damage or casualties were immediately reported. The volcano erupted on May 11 on a smaller scale.
Last week, authorities raised the alert level for Ibu volcano the second-highest, with an exclusion zone between three and five kilometres around the volcano's crater.
Ibu is one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, erupting more than 21,000 times last year, with an average of 58 eruptions per day.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".
Last month, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi province erupted more than half a dozen times, forcing thousands of residents of nearby islands to evacuate and it remains at the highest alert level. All of the 800 or so residents of Ruang island will be permanently relocated./.
