The 2,891-meter high volcano began to show signs of increased activity at 04.00 p.m. on Tuesday, officer of Mount Marapi`s monitoring post Sutanto said.
"The amount of ash this time is smaller than that on August 3, 2011," he said.
The volcano located in Tanah Datar and Agam districts sent volcanic ash up to 50 meters into the sky on Tuesday.
"When the volcano spewed ash the wind blew in the direction of Padangpanjang so the ash fell on the city," he said.
Despite the increased activity the volcano is put under the second highest alert status.
On August 3, 2011, the volcano sent volcanic ash up to 1,000 meters into the sky. The ash reached Agam, Bukittinggi, Tanahdatar, Pariaman and Padangpariaman.
The ash also covered farm land and tens of hectares of organic farm land could not be harvested.
Mount Marapi is also a conservation area in West Sumatra.
From the end of the 18th century to 2008, the volcano erupted 454 times with 50 of them classified as major eruptions.
Many climbers visit the volcano particularly during holidays and New Year`s Eve.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
