(NST) JAKARTA: A strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia early on Monday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, but no immediate damage or casualties were reported. The quake, which was relatively shallow, struck the northeastern corner of Kalimantan on the Indonesian part of Borneo island, 34 kilometres (21 miles) north of the coastal city of Tarakan, according to the USGS. The agency reported the quake hitting at a depth of 22 kilometres. Indonesia’s tsunami warning centre said there was no potential for the quake to trigger a tsunami. There were also no immediate reports of damage. The archipelago nation sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity in the region. Last month, a 6.1-magnitude undersea earthquake struck eastern Indonesia that was felt in Saumlaki and prompted some residents to run outside, though the tremor had no tsunami potential, disaster officials said. Earlier in November, two powerful quakes struck Sumatra – an initial 6.1-magnitude undersea tremor followed hours later by a strong 6.4-magnitude quake.–AFP
This is an update to the double disaster in Indonesia.
Debris is seen on Sipora island October 26, 2010 after a 7.5 magnitude quake hit 78 km (48 mi) west of South Pagai, one of the Mentawai islands, late on Monday. REUTERS/Handout/Special
Government volcanologist Surono told AFP that they heard 3 explosions around 6 pm (1100 GMT) spewing volcanic material as high as 1.5 kilometres (one mile) and sending heat clouds down the slopes.
Thousands of people were in makeshift emergency shelters late Tuesday.
The volcano is on the highest alert level.
Mount Merapi is Indonesian most active volcano.
Scientists have warned that pressure building beneath Merapi’s lava dome could trigger its most powerful explosion in years.
If that really happens, it will cause a great disaster.
Indonesia is in the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’.
A villager watches Mount Merapi in Kaliadem, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. Indonesia's most volatile volcano started erupting Tuesday, after scientists warned that pressure building beneath its dome could trigger the most powerful eruption in years. (AP Photo) A rescuer wheels a man heavily burned in the eruption of Mount Merapi at a hospital in Pakem, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. Indonesia’s most volatile volcano started erupted Tuesday. (AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi)
Villagers carry their belongings as they are evacuated from their homes on the slope of Mount Merapi, in Pakem, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. (AP Photo)A car is covered with ash from the erupting Mount Merapi volcano at Kaliurang village in Sleman, near Indonesia's ancient city of Yogyakarta, October 26, 2010. REUTERS/Beawiharta
Mount Sinabung in Sumatra. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
On Sunday, Mount Sinabung on the north of Sumatra island erupted; and on Monday it erupted again.
The volcano was inactive for four centuries or four hundred years; since 1600.
It shot ash 2 km or 1.5 miles into the air.
Mount Sinabung spews volcanic materials into the sky in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 30, 2010. The volcano that had been dormant for more than four centuries erupted for the second day in a row Monday, spewing out towering clouds of ash and forcing the evacuation of more than 21,000 people. (AP Photo/Roone Patikawa)
The eruption triggered the highest red volcano alert.
About 21,000 people left their houses because it is very dangerous to be near a volcano if it erupts.
Mount Sinabung spews volcanic smoke in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. The volcano spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years causing thousands of people living around its slope to evacuate their homes. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
Hot lava and burning rocks from the volcano can burn houses, trees and everything on its way down the volcano.
Volcanic ash covered trees, plants, houses and everything in the area.
I wonder if Malaysian airspace and airport will be closed if the volcanic ash problems get worse …
Mount Sinabung spews volcanic materials in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)Mount Sinabung spews volcanic materials in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)Volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)Mount Sinabung volcano erupts. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)Mount Sinabung volcano erupts. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)Volcanic ash from Mont Sinabung in Indonesia. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
A rescuer wheels a man heavily burned in the eruption of Mount Merapi at a hospital in Pakem, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. Indonesia’s most volatile volcano started erupted Tuesday. (AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi)
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