Kelud has been on the highest alert level for more than two weeks, but since Friday scientists have been warning an eruption may be imminent, based on the frequency of tremors shaking the mountain and the temperature of its lake.
In 1990 Mount Kelud spat out red-hot gases, mud, and lava that killed more than 30 people and injured hundreds.
In 1919 a powerful explosion that reportedly could be heard hundreds of miles away killed more than 5,000 thousand people.
"If it goes this time, it will be much larger than in 1990," said Surono, basing his prediction on the number of tremors and the lake temperature—both of which are much greater than in the days preceding the earlier blast.
But scientists said an eruption might not occur at all, given the unpredictable nature of the 5,679-foot (1,730-meter) mountain.
Other Indonesian Volcanoes
About 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Kelud, Mount Semeru was also sending ash clouds high into the air, witnesses said. The area was on alert, but no evacuations were ordered.
Anak Krakatau—which is off the northern tip of Java island—was spitting out hot stones and lava as well as clouds of ash. It also was on alert.
The volcano's name means "Krakatau's Child." It was formed after the massive eruption of the Krakatau (Krakatoa) volcano in 1883.
That blast was heard nearly 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) away in Australia and sent surges of gas and burning ash, which, combined with a tsunami, killed at least 36,000 people.
Indonesia is spread across 17,500 islands and is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes because of its location along the Ring of Fire—a series of fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and Southeast Asia.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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