MT SINABUNG ERUPTION 19-02-2018

Indonesia’s Mt Sinabung erupted on Monday spewing a thick cloud of ash. 19-02-2018 – A high impact volcanic ash eruption started at Sinabung volcano, Indonesia at 01:53 UTC on Monday, February 19, 2018. Pyroclastic flows traveled 3.5 km (2.1 miles) and 4.9 km (3 miles) from the summit. Ash plume was reaching an altitude of 16.7 km (55 000 feet) above sea level, the Darwin VAAC reported 04:50 UTC. Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red. The eruption started at 01:53 UTC (08:53 local time) and lasted 4 minutes and 51 seconds, Sinabung Volcano Observatory reported. Their best estimate of the ash cloud top at 02:13 UTC was 7.4 km (23 872 feet) above sea level. The observatory noted that the ash cloud is drifting to the east and southeast, adding that its top may be higher than what can be clearly observed from the ground. The Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red. “Pyroclastic flow is observed through the ESE slope to a distance of 3.5 km [2.1 miles] from the summit and through the south slope to a distance of 4.9 km [3 miles] from the summit,” they said. Major ashfall was reported around the volcano and visibility was down to only 5 to 10 meters (16 – 32 feet). The volcanic ash cloud is reaching an altitude of 16.7 km (55 000 feet) above sea level and extending 46.3 km (28.7 miles) ENE, the Darwin VAAC reported 03:35 UTC