Indonesia’s Mount Semeru erupts, prompting evacuations

A thick column of hot clouds rose 1.2 miles into the air (Badan Geologi via AP)

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, the highest peak on Java island, has erupted, blanketing several villages with falling ash, prompting evacuations and leading authorities to raise the alert to the highest level.

Mount Semeru in East Java province unleashed avalanches of searing clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas that travelled up to 4.3 miles (7km) down its slopes several times between midday and dusk, while a thick column of hot clouds rose 1.2 miles (2km) into the air, Indonesia’s Geology Agency said in a statement.