Thousands Evacuate Sumatra as Volcanoes in Indonesia "Rumble"
Reports have indicated that approximately 25,000 people have fled the site of a volcano on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The increased activity from Mount Talang has followed a number of earthquakes in the region as well as countless after-shocks.
Sumatra is still trying to recover from the Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami last year which killed more than 120,000 in the Aceh province.
Nearby, there also stands a second volcano – Tangkuban Perahu – which is now also being watched closely. The Tangkuban Perahu lies on the Java Island, and has also been reported as "rumbling" overnight.
Although no official orders for evacuations have yet been announced, tourists and locals have all been keeping their distance from Tangkuban Prahu.
Local vulcanologist, Surono reported to Reuters, "The status of Mount Talang is now at top alert."
Mount Talang lies just 25miles east of Padang, and on Tuesday was seen shooting ash 500m into the air, although this was not as violent as what had been seen on Monday.
In the area around the volcano, the residents of villages have now been evacuated, although many are still returning home for parts of the day to tend to their crops.
District Chief Djamawan Fauzi reported to the Associated Press, "The volcano has not yet spewed lava from the crater, but in order to anticipate such an incident, we have evacuated those living around the mountain to safer areas."
The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is due to visit the region today to try and calm the fears of the local population.
Scientists, however, have continuously reported that there has been a huge increase in seismic activity in the Indonesia region. Officials have told how the tectonic plates in the earth’s crust are realigning after the huge earthquake in December, which registered 9 on the Richter scale and caused the tsunami which devastated Asia last year.
Surono said, "The plates' movements release energy underground, and the energy could add to the activity of many volcanoes on Sumatra, but it doesn't mean this will trigger an eruption."
