Image of Mount Merapi erupting. Photo: Reuters
Merapi volcano - located in the Yogyakarta region (Indonesia) - erupted at noon on March 11 with a lava flow at least 1.5 km long.
Local residents have been warned to stop all activities inside the hazardous area (3km to 7km radius from the crater). People living outside the area have not yet been evacuated.
"If the area of influence of the volcano continues to increase and is wider than a radius of 7 km, it is likely that people will be advised to evacuate," an official at the local monitoring station, Mr. Yulianto, said.
Merapi (2,963m high) is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia has more volcanoes than any other country. Merapi last erupted violently in 2010, killing more than 350 people.