Volcano erupts in Indonesia, sends ash column 11 km above sea level

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - An Indonesian volcano located in the East Nusa Tenggara region erupted on Tuesday with an ash column of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) above sea level.

Mt. Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on the tourist island of Flores, had its alert level raised to the highest level (four) on Monday, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.

Volcano Observation Post Officer Yohanes Kolli Sorywutun urged the public to stay calm and follow authorities' directions, as reported by the Okezone News.

The officer cautioned people to stay clear of a radius of 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the eruption center.

Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency said it is observing the situation to monitor whether the eruption causes a tsunami, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

Indonesia, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, with 130 active volcanoes.