Volcano erupts after 400 years

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A volcano in western Indonesia spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early yesterday in its first eruption in 400 years.
Government volcanologist Surono, who uses only one name, said Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province started rumbling a few days ago and the minor morning eruption had mostly stopped.
It sent sand and ash up to a mile (1.5 kilometres) high, but lava only moved near its crater. It caused no major damage and “only dust covered plants and trees”, he said.
He said Mount Sinabung last erupted in 1600, so observers don’t know the volcano’s eruption pattern and are monitoring it closely for more activity. (AP)