Volcanic Unrest in Indonesia Is Forcing Evacuations

A picture taken in Berastepu Village, shows volcanic smoke and ash rise from Mount Sinabung during an eruption, in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia on January 10, 2016. Y.T HARYONO/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Some updates and news from the world of volcanoes this week: Indonesia Another volcano in Indonesia is causing evacuations due to increasing unrest: Gunung Egon on the island of Flores. Contrary to many media reports, the volcano has not erupted for the first time since 2008. Instead, strong sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano has led to over 1,200 people living within 3 kilometers of the volcano being asked to evacuate (although apparently many refused). Even more are being prepared to do the same if the unrest leads to an actual eruption. The current activity is fairly minor, but previous eruptions in 2004 and 2008 produced ash plumes upwards of 6 kilometers (19,000 feet) and forced 6,000 people to ...