Kelut erupting: reports
An eruption appears to be under way at one of the most deadly of Indonesia’s volcanoes, Kelut. No visual confirmation is available as the mountain is ‘cloaked in fog’ but seismic readings indicate that an eruption is occurring. Kelut (or Kelud) is located a mere 90km from Surabaya city, and an estimated 350,000 people live within 10km of the volcano. The area has been on high alert since last month (GDACS red volcano alert for Kelut, 17 October 2007), with thousands of people already evacuated. It hasn’t been easy to persuade everyone to leave, however: Indonesian officials have had to resort to using movies and pop singers to lure people to safety.
Kelut is highly active, with recent deadly eruptions in 1990 (VEI=4), 1966, 1951 and 1919.
Anak Krakatau is also currently kicking up a fuss.
