UPDATE Posted @ 12:35UTC
Violent eruption at Mt Lokon sent a massive plume of smoke and ash into the air about 3,500-meters above the Tompaluan crater
According to local reports residents were returning to their homes along the mountain’s slopes, when the eruption occurred. The force of Sunday explosion however send them scurrying back into emergency shelters.
An estimated 30,000 villagers live within a 3.5-km evacuation zone which was established on Sulawesi Island a week ago.
Mount Lokon’s eruption seen from Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 14, 2011. Image Credit: Jakarta Post/ANN. Image may be subject to copyright.
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Latest Lokon-Empung eruptions eject ash plume 800m into the air
Mt Lokon erupted at least 3 times on Saturday spewing thick plume of grey ash and volcanic fumes above the Tompaluan crater, located between the Lokon-Empung peaks.
Alert Level raised to 4 by Indonesia’s CVGHM has remained at the maximum level since July 11 eruption, when the volcano ejected ash about 5km above the crater summit.
Mount Lokon, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, is located about 20 km from North Sulawesi provincial capital of Manado.
“Historical eruptions have primarily produced small-to-moderate ash plumes that have occasionally damaged croplands and houses, but lava-dome growth and pyroclastic flows have also occurred.” GVP said.
Lokon-Empung Summary of Details
Country/ Region: Indonesia (Sulawesi)
Summit Elevation: 1,580 m
Coordinates: 1.358°N, 124.792°E
The twin volcanoes Lokon and Empung rise above the towns of Kakaskasen and Kinilow as viewed from the flanks of Mahawu volcano. The more prominent Lokon volcano (left), is higher than Empung volcano (right) and lacks a summit crater. Most historical eruptions from Lokon-Empung, one of the most active volcanoes on Sulawesi Island, have originated from Tompaluan crater, which can be seen surrounded by fresh ash deposits in the saddle between the two peaks. Gunung Tetawiran rises beyond the saddle. Photo by Agus Solihin, 1998 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia); caption by GVP.
A Map of Listed Volcanoes of Indonesia.
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