Mount Lokon erupts again

... now the volcano is on alert level III status... "

Tomohon, North Sulawesi (ANTARA News - Mount Lokon in North Sulawesi erupted again at 00.28 p.m. local time on Wednesday, producing thumping noise.

"We cannot predict how high the ash was sent out and in which direction the ash moved as thick smoke blanketed the crater," Farid Bina, the head of Mt Lokon and Mt Mahawu observatory post of the Volcanic and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) at the Bandung Geology Board, said.

The volcano showed signs of increased deep and shallow volcanic tremors before it erupted, he said.

Mt Lokon began showing signs of increased activity in July 2011, prompting the center to raise its alert status to level IV.

"Until now the volcano is on alert level III status with the danger zone covering a 2.5-km radius from the Tompaluan crater," he said.

Reporter: Karel A Polakitan
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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