According to the country's volcanology agency, Indonesia's Ibu volcano erupts, sending thick columns of grey ash several kilometers into the sky.

Authorities say the volcano on the distant island of Halmahera erupted for nearly five minutes around 9.12 a.m. (0012 GMT), spewing ash up to 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) into the sky.
A minor eruption was also seen on Friday.

PHOTO | COURTESY Indonesia's Ibu volcano

According to Hendra Gunawan, head of Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre, the volcano's alert level remains at the second highest.

He said all operations within a five-kilometer radius of the volcano were restricted.

"If it starts to rain ash, we recommend people who are near the volcano to wear a mask and glasses," Hendra stated.

The center posted footage of the eruption, which showed clouds of grey ash spewing from the crater. An official stated that a booming noise was also heard.

There have been no reports of residents being evacuated so far.
PHOTO | COURTESY Indonesia's Ibu volcano


According to the volcanology department, Indonesia is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and contains 127 active volcanoes.

In recent weeks, North Sulawesi's Ruang volcano has erupted, blasting incandescent lava and lightning from its crater. The eruption led officials to evacuate more than 12,000 residents from a nearby island.

In December, more than 20 people were killed when Marapi volcano, one of Sumatra's most active volcanoes, erupted and emitted grey clouds of ash as high as 3 km.