PADANG, West Sumatra: The status of Mount Talang in Solok regency, West Sumatra, was raised one level following increased smoke and tremors, a volcanologist said Monday.
"We were forced to raise the status by one level Saturday due to increased activity at the mountain," said Dalipa Marjsi of the Mt. Talang Volcanology Monitoring Office.
On Saturday the mountain spewed thick smoke 800 meters above its crater, he said, adding that the activity was followed by two small-scale earthquakes.
On Sunday the volcano spewed smoke 400 meters above the crater accompanied by small explosions.
He said local Solok district authorities were immediately notified of the increased activity. A coordination meeting was held Sunday night with district authorities to prepare for a possible eruption if the alert level reaches four.
Solok district chief Gusmal told AFP that some 41,000 people may need to be evacuated from the slope of the mountain should an eruption prove imminent.
"There is no plan to evacuate them yet, but we are preparing now in case the alert status is raised," Gusmal said.
More than 25,000 residents were evacuated in April 2005 from the slopes of Mount Talang when the volcano spewed an increasing amount of volcanic ash.
Indonesia sits on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire", where continental plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activity.
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