Volcano erupts in eastern Indonesia

[Sun Wukong]

Volcano erupts in eastern Indonesia
AAP September 17, 2012 5:41PM

A volcano has erupted in eastern Indonesia, spewing ash as high as one kilometre into the air. Source: AAP

A VOLCANO has erupted in eastern Indonesia, spewing clouds of thick, grey ash.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

State volcanologist Kristianto says Mount Gamalama in the Molucca Islands sprang to life last week.

It unleashed two strong eruptions over the weekend, sending volcanic ash as high as 1 kilometre.

Kristianto, who uses only one name, says slow-moving red lava was visible at the peak of the eruption on Monday.

Villages have been blanketed with thick ash but no evacuations have been ordered.

Gamalama last erupted late last year, and its mudflows killed four villagers two weeks later.