JAKARTA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Ibu volcano on Indonesia's Maluku island erupted on Wednesday, throwing thick gray volcanic ash as high as 5,000 meters above its peak, said the country's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.
"It erupted at 1:45 p.m. local time, lasting four minutes 43 seconds," said Richard Chaniago, an officer at the Ibu volcano observation post.
This volcano, which stands 1,325 meters above sea level, is currently at the third danger level, one level before its highest.
Authority urged people not to conduct activities within a radius of 3 km from the crater and 5 km from the northern crater, and remember to wear masks and glasses when outside. ■