Mt. Merapi spews ash

SEMARANG, Central Java: Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is again showing increased activities, spewing hot ash towards Boyong River, Antara reported yesterday.

Mas Atje Purbawinata of the Yogyakarta-based Directorate of Geology said that although the volcanic activities are considered "normal-active", residents should stay on the alert.

The hot ash is clearly visible from the observation post in Kaliurang at the foot of the mountain.

The last major eruption occurred in late 1994, killing 70 people and forcing 4,000 families to evacuate to safer ground. (swe)