(The Watchers) – An intense eruptive phase started at North Sulawesi’s Soputan volcano at 17:02 UTC, December 15, 2018 (01:02 LT, December 16). The volcano is producing lava fountains and ash columns up to 8 km (26 200 feet) above sea level. The Aviation Color Code was raised from Yellow to Orange and then to Red. During the initial phase of the eruption, ash cloud was not visible due to heavy fog, Soputan Volcano Observatory reported immediately after the eruption began, and raised the Aviation Color Code to

Orange. “Two hours later, we could see the summit and eruption was visible with an ash plume of around 3 000 m (9 800 feet) above the summit or more than 4 800 m (15 700 feet) above sea level. Ash-cloud was observed moving to the southeast and ashfall was reported by people living in Liwitung area (SE of the volcano). Seismic activity was characterized by continuous volcanic tremor.” At 21:54 UTC, December 15, the observatory raised the Aviation Color Code to Red. READ MORE