November 5, 2007

A deadly Indonesian volcano spewed clouds of white smoke on Sunday as the temperature of its crater lake soared. But thousands of residents defied warnings of a major eruption of Mount Kelud, choosing to tend sugar cane crops and livestock on its slopes. The top scientist monitoring the mountain said the temperature of its crater lake had reached 76 degrees celsius - a rise of more than 25 degrees over the past 24 hours, indicating a blast could be imminent. The spike indicated magma within the volcano was very close to breaking through to the surface, possibly sending a torrent of mud, ash and rock known as lahar pouring down the mountain, said Surono, who uses a single name. Despite the threat, authorities said 25,000 people were ignoring evacuation orders and remained in the danger zone around Kelud. There was no attempt made to stop people from travelling inside a 10km zone around the peak that officials said is off-limits. "If I live in a shelter, I can't make money," said Buhirin, a 74-year-old farmer living well within the danger zone. "I have the courage to stay because I have experienced three Kelud eruptions. I know where the lahar will flow." Kelud - one of more than 100 active volcanos in Indonesia - has been on the highest alert level for more than two weeks, but today recorded a spike in activity that led scientists to wrongly declare an eruption had begun. The mountain is in the heart of densely populated Java island. Surono said the extreme heat in the lake was creating a cloud of steam and smoke about 500 metres high. While warning of a possible eruption, scientists have also said a blast may be small or gradual in nature - or might not happen at all given the unpredictable nature of the 1731-metre mountain. Yesterday, Kelud recorded nonstop volcanic tremors as well as a surge in temperature in its lake. Monitors fled their observation posts convinced an eruption had begun, but were unable to visually confirm it because the mountain was shrouded in fog. They later said it had not erupted. In 1990, Mount Kelud killed more than 30 people and injured hundreds. In 1919, a powerful explosion that could be heard hundreds of kilometres away killed at least 5160. For weeks, authorities have pleaded with villagers to move to tent camps or government buildings, but have faced resistance. Many people have insisted on staying behind to tend crops or look after their houses. "I could die of tiredness if I have to go back and forth to a refugee camp," said Mesmesan, a 74-year-old farmer. "I am old and I am positive that Kelud will not tear apart our villages." Some villagers apparently believe a local myth that the mountain won't erupt if residents turn off all the lights and speak softly. "They are being very foolish," said Sigit Raharjo, a spokesman for the local government close to the mountain. "All we can do is ask them to leave." Indonesia is spread across 17,500 islands and is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes because of its location within the so-called "Ring of Fire" - a series of fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and south-east Asia. At least three volcanoes are erupting elsewhere in the country, including Mount Anak Krakatau, which lies off the northern tip of Java island. The mountain was formed after the famous Krakatau volcano erupted in 1883, killing thousands, but is not seen as at risk of a major blast.

SMH