16 Jun 2015

Threat from Indonesia volcano grows

3:58 pm on 16 June 2015

Thousands of people living close to a volcano in Indonesia have been forced to flee their homes after eruptions intensified.

A long expoure photo shows Mount Sinabung on 14 June 2015.

A long expoure photo shows Mount Sinabung on 14 June 2015. Photo: AFP

Mount Sinabung, on the island of Sumatra, became active again in 2010 but there has been more activity since the beginning of this month.

Before 2010, the volcano had been dormant for more than 400 years.

At least 3000 people living near its slopes have had to leave, including 1200 yesteday.

Scientists worry the volcano could pose more dangers in the coming weeks.

Signs of lava dome - volcanologist

On Monday, there were at least 28 pyroclastic flows - surges of hot ash and gas that rush down the side of the mountain at high speed.

Gede Suantika, an Indonesian government volcanologist, said there were signs a lava dome was growing on the mountain.

Lava domes are pile-ups of magma near the vent at the top of a volcano, that have been known to collapse and flow down mountain sides at high speed.

At least 14 people died when pyroclastic flows from Mount Sinabung struck villages in February 2014.

- BBC

Villagers leave their homes to a safer area as local government evacuate people who live close to Mount Sinabung.

Villagers leave their homes to a safer area as local government evacuate people who live close to Mount Sinabung. Photo: AFP

Volcanic ash spews from the mountain on 14 June 2015.

Volcanic ash spews from the mountain on 14 June 2015. Photo: AFP