A volcano has erupted on the same central Indonesian island as the devastating earthquake last week.
Mount Soputan in North Sulawesi province spewed ash 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) into the sky Wednesday morning. No evacuations were immediately ordered.
A government volcanologist suspects the eruption was triggered by the earthquake in Central Sulawesi on Friday.
The volcanologist, Kasbani, told online news portal Tempo that a direct correlation has yet to be seen, however. Kasbani, who uses one name, also said Soputan had been increasing in activity since August.
Soputan’s eruption status was raised to standby 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the summit and farther to the west-southwest. Standby status means the public should avoid the area nearest the volcano and have masks available in the event of ashfall.
