Volcanologists say the eruption of the volcano that shot ash 5 kilometers (3 miles) high also “annihilated” the mountain’s summit. Text on top of frame reads “Before Feb. 19, 2018” and text on bottom reads “After Feb. 19, 2018.” (PVMBG via AP) (Associated Press)JAKARTA, Indonesia — The eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung that shot ash 5 kilometers (3 miles) high also blew away much of the mountain’s summit. The volcano in North Sumatra, which has been active since 2010 after centuries of dormancy, erupted explosively on Monday morning. Hot ash clouds rolled down its slopes, traveling as far as 4.9 kilometers from the crater, and ash reached Lhokseumawe, a city more than 260 kilometers (162 miles) to the northwest. Video showed screaming children fleeing a school outside the volcano’s exclusion zone as a billowing column of ash rose in the background.

Source: Washington Post February 20, 2018 06:59 UTC