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A high impact volcanic ash eruption started at Sinabung volcano, Indonesia at 01:53 UTC on Monday, February 19, 2018. Pyroclastic flows traveled 3.5 km (2.1 miles) and 4.9 km (3 miles) from the summit. Ash plume was reaching an altitude of 16.7 km (55 000 feet) above sea level, the Darwin VAAC reported 04:50 UTC. Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red.
The eruption started at 01:53 UTC (08:53 local time) and lasted 4 minutes and 51 seconds, Sinabung Volcano Observatory reported.
Their best estimate of the ash cloud top at 02:13 UTC was 7.4 km (23 872 feet) above sea level. The observatory noted that the ash cloud is drifting to the east and southeast, adding that its top may be higher than what can be clearly observed from the ground. The Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red.
– Major Volcanic Eruption Kills at Least 14 in Indonesia (New York Times, Feb 1, 2014):
MOUNT SINABUNG, Indonesia — An Indonesian volcano that has been rumbling for months unleashed a major eruption on Saturday, killing 14 people just a day after the authorities allowed thousands of villagers who had been evacuated to return to its slopes, saying that activity was decreasing, officials said.