Balinese volcano looks increasingly volatile: UQ researcher

Increasing seismic activity suggests that eruption of Bali's Mount Agung volcano may be imminent, according to a University of Queensland volcanologist. UQ School of Earth and Environmental Sciences researcher Dr Teresa Ubide said seismic monitoring at the volcano, which is the highest point on Bali, shows an increasing frequency of tremors, suggesting evidence of hot magma coming to the surface. "The last time this volcano erupted was in 1963 and was one of the most explosive eruptions of the 20^th century, sending hot ash 10 kilometres into the air," Dr Ubide said. "More than 1000 people were killed. "In the face of current seismic activity, Indonesian authorities this week have raised the alert to the highest level and declared a 12 kilometres exclusion zone around the volcano. So far, about 50,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas." Dr Ubide said the Mount Agung volcano is part of the Ring of Fire, around the Pacific Ocean, where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. The Ring of Fire stretches from New Zealand in the south to Vanuatu and Tonga, Indonesia, Japan, Alaska, and the west coast of the Americas.