Post by Grey on Apr 14, 2005 3:25:52 GMT -5
Areas of Indonesia remain on high alert as eight large volcanoes in Indonesia are showing significant increases in activity as of Wednesday (13 April), raising alarm in the earthquake-prone region. Around 25,000 people fled their homes in western Sumatra after a series of volcanic eruptions from Mount Talang. Today, over 100 reportedly recorded aftershocks measuring below 6.0 on the Richter scale, rattled Padang and other areas in West Sumatra, from 7 a.m. on Wednesday till 7 a.m. today, according to the Antara news agency.
The most active volcano in fact has been Mt Talang, 40 miles east of Padang, the largest city on Sumatra's west coast, sending thick, grey ash and smoke half a mile into the air on Tuesday.
Seven volcanoes in neighboring Java are also either belching smoke and ash or showing signs of seismic activity, including the Child of Krakatoa, off the west coast, which was created in 1883 when its more famous "mother" exploded in one of the biggest eruptions recorded.
Others include the popular tourist destinations Mt Gede and Mt Tangkuban Perahu in west Java, Mt Merapi in central Java, Mt Bromo and the island's highest peak, Mt Semeru, both in east Java.
Today, locals living around the Tangkuban Perahu region have all evacuated the area, even as local authorities have urged them not to do so.
An official from the vulcanology and geophysics directorate said there could be a link to the seismic activity off Sumatra that started the massive Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami. "When the plates move they release energy and this could well stimulate the volcanoes," he said. "But it does not mean that there will automatically be large a eruption if there is a large earthquake."
The most active volcano in fact has been Mt Talang, 40 miles east of Padang, the largest city on Sumatra's west coast, sending thick, grey ash and smoke half a mile into the air on Tuesday.
Seven volcanoes in neighboring Java are also either belching smoke and ash or showing signs of seismic activity, including the Child of Krakatoa, off the west coast, which was created in 1883 when its more famous "mother" exploded in one of the biggest eruptions recorded.
Others include the popular tourist destinations Mt Gede and Mt Tangkuban Perahu in west Java, Mt Merapi in central Java, Mt Bromo and the island's highest peak, Mt Semeru, both in east Java.
Today, locals living around the Tangkuban Perahu region have all evacuated the area, even as local authorities have urged them not to do so.
An official from the vulcanology and geophysics directorate said there could be a link to the seismic activity off Sumatra that started the massive Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami. "When the plates move they release energy and this could well stimulate the volcanoes," he said. "But it does not mean that there will automatically be large a eruption if there is a large earthquake."
