Volcanic Eruption of Mount Sinabung

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Mount Sinabung started its eruption on 6th May. It is located in North Sumatra province of Indonesia.

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It was in March 2021 when the volcano sent a column of ash and smoke more than 16,000 feet into the air. The volcano has been active from 2010 when it erupted after 400 years of inactivity.

Indonesia located on Pacific ring of fire or the Circum-Pacific Belt is home to many active volcanoes. About 75% of world’s volcanoes and 90% of earthquakes also occur in this belt.

As per the National Museum of Natural History, USA, there are about 20 volcanoes actively erupting everyday around the world.

Although the volcano has been active from 2010 but it started erupting from September 2013 and continued till June 2018.

Reason for eruption of a volcano

A Volcano erupts when magma (a thick flowing substance), that is formed when the earth’s mantle melts and rises to the surface.

Not all volcanic eruptions are explosive since explosivity depends on the composition of the magma. When the magma is runny and thin, gases can easily escape it. In such cases, the magma will flow out towards the surface. But if the magma is thick and dense and gases get away, it builds up pressure inside that result into a violent explosion.