JAKARTA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Mount Semeru, located in Indonesia's East Java province, erupted on Sunday, prompting the country's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to issue an aviation warning.
A thick column of white-to-grey ash rose up to 1,000 meters into the sky, drifting northeast from the crater, according to the center's report.
Authorities issued the second-highest aviation warning, designating an orange Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation, restricting flights within 5 kilometers of the volcano.
A 3-km danger zone has been declared, while the southeastern area of the volcano has a designated danger radius extending up to 8 km from the crater.
Beyond these areas, authorities have prohibited residents from engaging in any activities within 500 meters of rivers originating from the volcano's slopes due to potential lava flows and hot clouds possibly extending up to 13 km.
Mount Semeru, standing 3,676 meters high, is one of Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes. ■
