Friday 15 July 2011

Geography Picture of the Day - Volcano erupts on Sulawesi

Thousands of people have been forced to flee the Indonesian island of Sulawesi after Mount Lokon started erupting yesterday afternoon. As yet, there have been no reports of casualties but this is perhaps thanks to the fact that over the last month there has been a significant increase in volcanic activity in the area and so people were already aware of a possible eruption. Only two days ago the alert status was raised to the highest level. Prior to the eruption a two mile evacuation zone was established and, so far, 4,400 of the 28,000 people that live in that area have been evacuated - the evacuation process is still underway.

The 1,580 metre, Mount Lokon is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia - although there are many - and it last erupted in 1991. This lastest eruption has seen ash, sand and rocks thrown some 1500 metres into the air.

Yet another volcanic eruption - I would keep an eye on the situation!

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