Indonesia’s Mount Merapi unleashes lava as other volcanoes flare up, forcing thousands to evacuate

By SLAMET RIYADI
Associated Press

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Mount Merapi has erupted, spreading searing gas clouds and avalanches of lava down its slopes as other active volcanoes flared up across the country, forcing the evacuation of thousands. On the densely populated island of Java, Merapi unleashed Sunday clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, and lava that traveled up to 1.2 miles down its slopes. Across the country, several active volcanoes also blew up over the weekend. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in East Nusa Tenggara province and Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province spewed hot clouds while Mount Semeru in East Java province released searing gas clouds on Saturday, as well as Mount Ibu on Halmahera island in North Maluku province.