The Sinabung volcano in Indonesia is rumbling to life, forcing the government of that nation to evacuate thousands of villagers from the area. As the volcano began to erupt, a number of refugees fled their homes before lava came rolling through their homesteads. Around 1,200 people were evacuated on June 15, joining 1,800 other Indonesians who previously left their homes.
Mount Sinabung was dormant for 400 years before it came back to life in 2010, with periodic eruptions since then. The volcano, located on the island of Sumatra, exhibited increased activity starting on June 2. On June 15, geologists counted 28 pyroclastic flows coming down the sides of the volcano. These flows, composed of blistering hot gas and ash, can be among the most dangerous aspects of a volcanic eruption.
Geologists are worried that Sinabung could cause a great deal of damage if it were to experience a full-blown eruption.
A lava dome, a buildup of magma near the vent of the volcano, also appears to be growing on Sinabung. These geological features often collapse, sending lava down slopes, sometimes toward populated areas. These events on Sinabung were responsible for at least 14 deaths in February 2014. A total of 17 area residents were killed during that most recent eruption.
"Two villages with 1,274 people were evacuated today to safer locations around 10 kilometres away. We plan to evacuate five to six more villages in the coming days, that's around 2,500 residents," Asep Sukarna, a local military commander, said.
The volcano is spewing ash and smoke as high as 11,500 feet into the air. This ash and dust could potentially cause havoc with low-flying aircraft, as the material could enter air intakes and clog engines, seizing the motors.
Pyroclastic flows quickly scorch any life in their path, destroying plants and animals, as well as killing people. However, the ash left behind can often be fertile, providing future life with nutrients.
Sinabung is one of 129 active volcanoes on the island chain of Indonesia. This stratovolcano is found on the Karo Plateau of North Sumatra, just 25 miles from the Lake Toba supervolcano. The island nation sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a line of volcanoes which erupt on a fairly regular basis.
Mount Unzen in Japan, also part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, is another volcano which has spent five years undergoing a lengthy eruption. In 1792, Unzen experienced a massive eruption, resulting in the formation of a megatsunami which cost 15,000 people their lives. This event remains the most deadly volcanic eruption in the history of Japan.
Photo: Rendy Cipta Muliawan | Flickr
