An Indonesian woman holds a baby in front of her tent at a refugee camp, after evacuating from her village on the slope of the Merapi volcano on Monday. The volcano erupted with what vulcanologists say is the largest cloud of hot gasses yet. Photo by BTA
Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano exploded with clouds of hot gas and ash rain. The volcano eruption broke early on Monday, sending some villagers who had been reluctant to leave scurrying for safety. Grey ash covered some vegetation and rooftops in the area of Ketep, 10 km from the base of the mountain. Local vulcanological experts cautioned that the mountain's eruption process could be gradual rather than a sudden burst. Merapi is one of the most menacing volcanoes in the Pacific "Ring of Fire".