Mt. Sinabung volcano eruption, villagers refuse to leave danger zone

[Baclava]

TANAH KARO, Indonesia — Thousands of villagers are refusing to leave their homes on the slopes of one of Indonesia’s most volatile volcanoes despite warnings that it is poised for a powerful eruption.

The volcano in northern Sumatra, one of Indonesia’s main islands, has also been shooting smoke and ash more than 700 meters (2,300 feet) into the air.

“We have lost our vegetables, but not coffee,” said Sapta Sembiring Palawi from Gambir village, about 4.7 kilometers (3 miles) from the smoldering peak. “Coffee has let us survive and we have to take care of it now.” Palawi, a grandfather, is one of about 200 people from the village who have refused to move to government shelters.

The reluctance of people to leave their homes despite danger is common in the sprawling archipelago nation. It has more volcanoes than any other country and is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes because of its location on the “Ring of Fire” — a series of fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and Southeast Asia.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/nationworld/7/71/704838/photos-mt-sinabung-volcano-eruption

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I guess they're used to it?

[Romeo.lima333]

1. pompeii comes to mind

[Baclava]

2. Mount Sinabung blasts a pyroclastic flow down the mountainside