|
1 000s refuse to flee volcano
04/11/2007 18:06 - (SA)
Mount Kelud - A deadly Indonesian volcano spewed clouds of white smoke on Sunday as the temperature of its crater lake soared. But thousands of residents defied warnings of a major eruption, choosing to tend sugar cane crops and livestock on its slopes.
The top scientist monitoring Mount Kelud said the temperature of its crater lake had reached 76°C - a rise of more than 25°C over the last 24 hours, indicating a blast could be imminent.
The spike indicated magma within the volcano was very close to breaking through to the surface, possibly sending a torrent of mud, ash and rock known as lahar pouring down the mountain, said Surono, who uses a single name.
Despite the threat, authorities said 25 000 people were ignoring evacuation orders and remained in the danger zone around Kelud. "If I live in a shelter, I can't make money," said Buhirin, a 74-year-old farmer living well within the danger zone. "I have the courage to stay because I have experienced three Kelud eruptions. I know where the lahar will flow."
Kelud - one of more than 100 active volcanos in
Indonesia - has been on the highest alert level for more than two weeks, but on Saturday recorded a spike in activity that led scientists to wrongly declare an eruption had begun.
The mountain is in the heart of densely populated Java island.
Some villagers apparently believe a local myth that the mountain won't erupt if residents turn off all the lights and speak softly.
- AP
|
News
