Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupts, covering villages in ash

Tags: International News

Indonesia's Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted on March 12, sending smoke and ash spreading over nearby villages.

An overview of the news

• The volcano is located on the island of Java near Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of Indonesia.

• The ash cloud has reached 9,600 feet above the surface. The area up to seven kilometers from the blast site has been restricted.

• In 2010 a major eruption of the volcano killed over 300 people.

• Indonesia, which has about 130 active volcanoes, lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.

About Mount Merapi 

• Mount Merapi is a volcanic mountain on the island of Java in Indonesia and is the most active volcano in Indonesia.

• It was discovered by Mr. Morris in 1754 and is also known as the 'Mountain of Fire' because of its explosive nature.

What is a volcano?

• A volcano is a type of mountain that erupts beneath the Earth's surface into a pool of molten rock.

• During a volcanic eruption, underground pressure is created due to the formation of magma, which is molten rock mixed with gas.

• Lava coming out of a volcano takes the form of a mountain.

• After which whenever these substances come out of this volcano, they cause a big explosion.