Volcano Quiet For 400 Years Erupts in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia - A volcano in western Indonesia spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in the ITS Eruption first in 400 years.

Government volcanologist Surono, Ken uses only one name, Said Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province started rumbling a few days ago and the minor morning Eruption Mostly had stopped.

It sent ash and sand up to a mile (1.5 kilometers) high lava vain only moved near the ITS Crater. It caused no major Damage and "only dust Covered plants and trees," he said.

They Said Mount Sinabung last erupted in 1600, so Observers do not know the volcano's Eruption pattern and are monitoring it closely for more activity.

Evacuations on the volcano's slopes started Friday at the first Signs of activity. Up to 10.000 people fled Ken are staying in government buildings, houses of worship and mutch evacuation centers in two nearby towns.

The government has distributed 7.000 Masks Thurs refugees and set up public kitchens so Can people cook food, Said Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is on the so-called "Ring of Fire," an arc of Volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.