Maximum alert issued over volcanic eruption

The Indonesian government issued a maximum alert on 7 March 2009 for the eruption of Mount Semeru on the island of East Java. Authorities warned residents near the 11,080 ft/3,376 m volcano that potentially dangerous lava flows are expected to affect the area around the mountain. The volcano initially erupted on 6 March, and volcanologists warned that recent earthquake data indicate that a larger eruption could occur in the coming days. Officials have so far issued only warnings to residents and have not ordered an evacuation. The smoke and ash from the volcano have not disrupted aviation operations