Volcano: Indonesia’s Mount Merapi erupts with huge ash column
- Published
Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano has erupted spewing a six kilometre (km) column of ash into the sky.
According to Indonesia's Geology and Volcanology Research Agency, the eruption lasted for almost eight minutes.
The Agency has also warned of possible further eruptions due to magma - liquid rock coming from below the Earth's crust - continuing to move towards the surface.
The volcano is near to the cities of Solo and Yogyakarta and has led to the temporary closure of Solo's international airport.
Those living nearby have been asked to steer clear of Mount Merapi because of rain and ash mixing together as it falls
The Pacific Ring of Fire is a path along the Pacific Ocean where 75% of Earth's volcanoes are located and 90% of earthquakes occur due to the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates.
People who live nearby have been told to stay at least three km from the crater's mouth.
Events like this in Indonesia are not out of the ordinary, as the country is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire - meaning it is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
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