Indonesia Volcano: Will Soputan volcano erupt again today? Are people safe?
A VOLCANO has erupted on the same Indonesian island devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami five days ago. But will Soputan erupt again today and are people safe on Sulawesi island?
Indonesia: Son of Krakatoa volcano spews lava
Mount Soputan, located in Sulawesi, was recorded to be spewing ash 20,000 feet into the air today.
At the same time a volcano called Son of Krakatoa, also erupted in Java, Indonesia.
Last Friday, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, which triggered a tsunami, killed at least 1,407 people. The body count is expected to rise as rescuers probe the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Over the last couple of days, aid planes have been able to reach Palu, the city which was worst affected by the tsunami.
Following the earthquake, the first air evacuations also took place around 585 miles (940km) southwest of the volcano in Central Sulawesi.
However, authorities are now warning that volcanic ash in the air from the volcano could affect air travel once more.
Will Soputan erupt again today?
Indonesia’s volcanologists warned that the stratovolcano had been showing signs of restlessness just hours before it exploded.
Experts are not sure yet how long the eruptions will last or how dangerous they will be.
Indonesia is located in the heart of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is one of the worst affected areas by earthquakes in the world.
Are people safe on Sulawesi island?
The eruption status on the volcano was raised from an alert to standby 2.5 miles (4km) from the summit.
This ran for up to four miles (6.5km) to the west-southwest.
The standby status means the area nearest the volcano should be avoided.
People should also wear masks or have them easily accessible in case there is ash fall.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, Head of Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management tweeted about the eruption, assuring people it was not a cause for concern.
He said: “On 2/10/2018 156 eruptions occurred, throwing sand and ash, incandescent lava.
“The volcano’s condition is safe if it is outside the radius of 2 km from the crater.
“Interesting to see the tourist phenomenon the mountain erupted in a safe place.”