Volcano in western Indonesia in fresh eruption of ash

A volcano in western Indonesia has unleashed a new powerful burst of volcanic ash.

Authorities have been closely monitoring 2,460m (8,070ft) Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province since June 2nd, when its status was raised to the highest alert level due to the growing size of its lava dome.

Wendy Cahya, an official at the mountain’s monitoring post, said hot ash tumbled down the slopes of the mountain as far as 3km south-eastwards today.

Mount Sinabung is among about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.

The volcano has sporadically erupted since 2010, after being dormant for 400 years. An eruption last year killed at least 17 people.