ERUPTION OF MOUNT SINABURG
Where: Sumatra, Indonesia
What: Indonesia ranks second only to Bangladesh in countries at "extreme risk" for natural disaster. This week, a long-dormant volcano in northern Sumatra proved it by erupting twice, killing two people and displacing 30,000 more, while spewing volcanic ash more than three miles into the air for six hours.
So far, the ash has only deferred some small domestic flights; larger planes are able to fly over the cloud. Officials are concerned, however, that if the eruption continues, the smoke could further disrupt aviation. Sumatrans have been evacuated from a four-mile radius around the volcano, and aid workers have distributed 8,500 face masks to protect people from the fumes.
SUTANTA ADITYA/AFP/Getty Images
SUBJECTS:
(8)
HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE