Indonesia's Mount Dempo erupts, ash column rises 3.5 km

Mount Dempo in South Sumatra Island of Indonesia erupted on Wednesday, sending a volcanic ash column up to 3,500 meters above the near 3,200 meters peak, the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported, said Xinhua.

Lana Saria, acting head of PVMBG, said the eruption was recorded on seismographs at 11:45 a.m. local time, with a maximum amplitude of 30 mm and a duration of approximately 13 minutes and 49 seconds. No explosive sounds were reported.

The PVMBG said it will continue to closely monitor the volcano and provide updates, urging the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and follow official instructions.