Ruang volcano in Indonesia's North Sulawesi. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – At least 800 people in Indonesia’s NorthSulawesi province have been evacuated after the area’sRuang volcano has spewed lava and ash clouds into the sky for days,Indonesia’s volcanology agency said on April 17.
The volcano has erupted at least three times since April 16night.
Heruningtyas Desi Purnamasari, an official at Indonesia’s Centerfor Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) said that localauthorities have raised the alert level to the second highest level followingthe increased activity.
The eruption of Mt. Ruang was triggered by recent earthquakes onthe island, with the mountain emitting dangerous and “explosive hot clouds” ashigh as 1.8 km into the sky.
Ruang island is home to about 840 residents, most of whom havenow been evacuated to the nearest island Tagulandang, said Heruningtyas.
Ruang volcano is located about 100 km from Manado - the capitalof North Sulawesi province and is 725m above sea level.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the meeting ofcontinental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity. Currently, thiscountry has nearly 130 active volcanoes./.
