A local farmer sits on her fields as Mount Sinabung spews pyroclastic smoke, seen from Tiga Kicat village in Sukanalu village, North Sumatra, Indonesia on June 17, 2015.Ulet Ifansasti—Getty Images
Hundreds of villagers living near Mount Sinabung, one of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes, have been forced to evacuate as authorities fear a major eruption.
Dormant for more than 400 years, the volcano woke up on August 29, 2010, and has since erupted on six occasions. The latest activity has vulcanologists worried, the Associated Press reports, prompting authorities to raise the alert status to its highest level.
Government vulcanologist Gede Suantika told AP that at least 28 hot ash avalanches occurred Monday, with indications that the crater’s lava dome continues to grow in size. On June 2, it was estimated to measure estimated 3 million cubic meters (106 million cubic feet).
A close-up of hot lava running down from Mount Sinabung in Sumatra island in Indonesia on June 13, 2015.Sutanta Aditya—AFP/Getty ImagesA close-up of volcanic ash flowing down from Mount Sinabung on June 13, 2015.Sutanta Aditya—AFP/Getty ImagesA woman looks out the window as she prepares to leave her house in Sukanalu village in Sukanalu village, North Sumatra, Indonesia on June 16, 2015.Ulet Ifansasti—Getty ImagesPeople on a motor cycle place masks on their faces as they flee their home to be evacuated to a temporary shelter in Sukanalu village, North Sumatra, Indonesia on June 16, 2015.Ulet Ifansasti—Getty ImagesVillagers rest inside a temporary shelter in Sukanalu village, North Sumatra, Indonesia on June 16, 2015.Ulet Ifansasti—Getty ImagesVillagers rest inside a temporary shelter in Sukanalu village, North Sumatra, Indonesia on June 16, 2015.Ulet Ifansasti—Getty ImagesA local farmer sits on her fields as Mount Sinabung spews pyroclastic smoke, seen from Tiga Kicat village in Sukanalu village, North Sumatra, Indonesia on June 17, 2015.Ulet Ifansasti—Getty Images
