Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung Volcano rocked by large explosive eruption

July 2014 – INDONESIA – Mount Sinabung, one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, has erupted, spewing ash to the sky. No casualty was reported, official said here Sunday. The volcano located in Karo district of North Sumatra province erupted at 23.05 p.m. Saturday, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of national disaster management agency, said. “The height of the eruption could not be determined as it took place at night and there were many clouds,” he told Xinhua by phone. “Rains of hot ash occurred in several place in Karo district, but it did not trigger further evacuation,” Sutopo added. The 2,600-metre (8,530-foot) Mount Sinabung last erupted June 29, shooting columns of ash by up to 4,000 meters into the sky. – Business Standard

Philippines Bulusan Volcano rattled by quake swarm: MANILA, Philippines – Although not posing any serious threats at the moment, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday told the public to stay away from Bulusan volcano’s permanent danger zone in Sorsogon after volcanic earthquakes were detected.  “During the 24-hour observation period, the seismic network detected thirteen (13) volcanic earthquakes. Ground deformation data from continuous GPS and precise leveling survey also indicated that the volcano is slightly inflated,” Phivolcs said in a statement. The agency said the volcano’s status is still at alert level 0. “The local government units and the public are reminded that entry to the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions,” Phivolcs said. It warned against aircraft flying near the volcano’s summit since sudden eruption may be harmful. “People living within valleys and along river/stream channels should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall,” it added. –Inquirer