Mount Sinabung on Indonesia's Sumatra island erupted on Monday, spewing a column of ash and black smoke 3,500 meters (11,482 feet) from its peak into the sky, prompting authorities to raise the alert level.
According to local officials, the eruption occurred around 8 a.m. local time. The thick ash column drifted toward the southwest, forcing residents living near the area to wear masks and limit outdoor activities.
Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency raised the alert from level 2 to level 3 on a scale of 4, and advised people not to approach within a 3-kilometer radius of the crater. Flights in the region were also asked to adjust their routes to avoid the ash cloud.
Mount Sinabung, about 2,460 meters tall, is located in North Sumatra province. It is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, having awakened in 2010 after more than 400 years of dormancy. Since then, the volcano has erupted multiple times, causing significant loss of life and property, including a 2014 eruption that killed 16 people and a 2016 eruption that left 7 dead.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity, with approximately 130 active volcanoes. Authorities continue to closely monitor Mount Sinabung's activity and urge residents to follow safety guidelines.
