Indonesia’s Mount Semeru has erupted, pouring ash an estimated 5.6km (3.4 miles) into the sky above Java, the country’s most densely populated island.
Important value additions
Semeru – also known as “The Great Mountain” – is the highest volcano in Java and one of the most active.
It is located in the subduction zone, where the Indo-Australia plate subducts under the Eurasia plate.
It is also one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist hiking destinations.
The volcano previously erupted in December, when about 550 people were evacuated.
Do you know?
Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic activity as well as earthquakes.
Within the last week, Indonesia has endured multiple landslides, a deadly earthquake on Sulawesi island, and the loss of a Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 with 62 people on board.
