31 Aug 2010

Indonesia volcano erupts again

8:30 am on 31 August 2010

Mount Sinabung volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra has erupted again, sending ash and smoke 2km into the atmosphere.

Thousands of people living within 6km of the mountain have left their homes to stay in government shelters.

The BBC reports some domestic flights in the region have been affected by the volcanic ash. Flights that were due to fly over the volcano have been suspended until further notice.

Mt Sinabung, long considered to be inactive, erupted for the first time in 400 years in the early hours of Sunday.

A government vulcanologist told the BBC that the volcano erupted again early on Monday, discharging black ash and soot 2km into the air. He said the eruption was bigger than Sunday's.