64: Indonesia’s Mount Gamalama erupts, spews volcanic ashes

September 17, 2012 – TERNATE, Indonesia – Mount Gamalama in Ternate, North Maluku, spewed out volcanic ash on Sunday, showering some parts of the provincial capital that is currently hosting an international sailing event: Sail Morotai 2012. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. However, guests of Corner Palace Hotel panicked when a rain of ash fell for about 15 minutes. State volcanologist Kristianto says Mount Gamalama in the Molucca Islands sprang to life last week. It unleashed two strong eruptions over the weekend, sending volcanic ash as high as 1 kilometer (0.62 miles). Kristianto, who uses only one name, says slow-moving red lava was visible at the peak of the eruption Monday. Matut, 48, a local resident, said ask also rained down on Saturday night at 11 p.m. until the small hours of Sunday morning, Antara news agency reported. Volcanic ash mostly blanketed the eastern and southern parts of Ternate, the capital of North Maluku province. Villages have been blanketed with thick ash but no evacuations have been ordered. Gamalama last erupted late last year, and its mudflows killed four villagers two weeks later. Indonesia is a vast archipelago with millions of people living on mountains or near fertile flood plains. Seasonal downpours here often cause landslides. –Jakarta Post