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Motorcyclists ride along roads coated with volcanic ash from Mt Sinabung. Binsar Bakkara/AP/Press Association Images
Indonesia

Indonesian volcano blast blows ash 15 miles

Most powerful eruption since Mt Sinabung ended its 400-year long dormancy.
2.43pm, 7 Sep 2010
549

A VOLCANO ON THE INDONESIAN island of Sumatra has erupted again in its most powerful movement since waking from four centuries of rest.

Mount Sinabung first awakened on 29 August, when lava, ash and smoke began to shoot out.

Thousands of people fled their homes, but returned shortly afterwards when the volcano appeared to have cooled down. However, it erupted for a second time the following day, forcing the evacuation of around 21,000 people.

This latest eruption was felt up to 8km away from the volcano, with one eyewitness saying the mountain shook for at least three minutes, according to Al Jazeera. Volcanic ash and mud have flowed down the mountainside and into abandoned homes.

The ash was blown up to 15 miles from the volcano.

Around 30,000 people who were evacuated from the area are living in makeshift shelters outside the danger zone.

As these photos show, despite the volcanic action, people are trying to keep daily life as normal as possible:

Indonesian volcano blast blows ash 15 miles
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  • Indonesia Volcano Erupts

    Indonesian women was their clothes on a small river as Mount Sinabung is seen in the background in Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, 7 September, 2010. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

  • Indonesia Volcano Erupts

    A villager walks across a bamboo bridge as Mount Sinabung is seen in the background in Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. The volcano shot volcanic ash high into the air Tuesday, dusting villages 15 miles (25 kilometers) away in its most powerful eruption since awakening last week from four centuries of dormancy. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

  • Indonesia Volcano Erupts

    Mount Sinabung spews volcanic smoke as seen from Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, 7 September, 2010. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

  • Indonesia Muslim Holiday

    Indonesians struggle to board a ship to leave for their homes on Sumatra island at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. The mass exodus out of the capital and other major cities in the country is underway as thousands are preparing to head home to their villages to celebrate Eid al-Fitr holiday. The holiday marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Irwin Fedriansyah)
  • Indonesian women was their clothes on a small river as Mount Sinabung is seen in the background in Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, 7 September, 2010. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
  • A villager walks across a bamboo bridge as Mount Sinabung is seen in the background in Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. The volcano shot volcanic ash high into the air Tuesday, dusting villages 15 miles (25 kilometers) away in its most powerful eruption since awakening last week from four centuries of dormancy. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
  • Mount Sinabung spews volcanic smoke as seen from Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, 7 September, 2010. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
  • Indonesians struggle to board a ship to leave for their homes on Sumatra island at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. The mass exodus out of the capital and other major cities in the country is underway as thousands are preparing to head home to their villages to celebrate Eid al-Fitr holiday. The holiday marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Irwin Fedriansyah)

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Author
Susan Ryan
susanryan@thejournal.ie
@SusanSRyan
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