9 Photos of Indonesia’s Apocalyptic Volcanic Eruption

Rainfall May Have Helped Trigger the Eruption

Members of a search and rescue team carry a villager during an operation at the Sumberwuluh village. Photo: Adek Berry/AFP (Getty Images)

Semeru is a very active volcano. It entered an eruptive period in 2014 that has continued off and on since then. Prior to this weekend’s eruption, it last erupted in January, with no casualties. This time, though, days of rain helped erode and collapse the lava dome at the top of the mountain. That triggered the eruption, Eko Budi Lelono, the head of Indonesia’s geological agency, told the AP.

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