Indonesia's Mt. Semeru unleashes lava river in new eruption

Indonesia's Semeru volcano on Java Island has erupted on Sunday and increased activity continued. Monsoon rains eroded and finally collapsed the lava dome atop 3,676-meter Mount Semeru, causing the eruption, according to National Disaster Management Agency.

Thick columns of ash were blasted more than 1,500 meters into the sky while searing gas and lava flowed down Semeru’s slopes toward a nearby river. Several villages were blanketed with falling ash, blocking out the sun, but no casualties have been reported.

Hundredsof residents fled to temporary shelters or left for other safe areas. Semeru’s last major eruption was in December last year that killed more than 50 residents and forced over 10,000 people to evacuate.