Indonesia is a home to 400 volcanos, 80 of which erupt on a regular basis. The most recent eruption in Indonesia occurred on the mountain Merapi, which is considered one of the country’s most active volcanoes. On Thursday, May 30 the eruption scared the people by sending a 1.3 miles high column of ash into the sky. 

Earlier in May, heavy rains caused damage to several towns located nearby, bringing down the “Lahar” from the Merapi volcano.

The “Lahar” is a cold lava flow. Such flows involve a mixture of ash, sand, and stones that are washed down the slopes of a mountain by heavy rain. “People are strongly advised to stay away from the rivers that originate in the Merapi mountain area. Be prepared for the potential “lahar” hazard that may occur, especially during rain,” said Abdul Muhari, a representative of the Indonesian disaster management agency, BNPB.

According to the national media source of Indonesia “VOA Indonesia” the government has not only advised the locals to stay outside of the exclusion zone but also to wear hats, goggles and masks in order to protect themselves from volcanic ash.

Volcanic ash can be extremely dangerous. When consumed it causes irritation of the airways and damages lungs, which leads to suffocation. It also kills vegetation, contaminates water supplies and damages electrical systems.