Indonesian Volcano Blows After 400 Years

Thousands fled when Sinabung started rumbling
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 29, 2010 11:45 AM CDT
Indonesian Volcano Blows After 400 Years
Mount Sinabung spews volcanic smoke in North Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. The volcano spewed hot lava and sand early today in its first eruption in 400 years.   (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

An Indonesian volcano that has sat silently since 1600 blew ash and sand a mile into the sky this morning, days after its rumblings sent thousands scrambling to evacuate. Lava was mostly contained around the crater of Mount Sinabung, reports the AP, and a government volcanologist said the eruption appeared to have stopped. The government has given out some 7,000 masks to evacuees and set up public kitchens.
(More Indonesia stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X