Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano sends ash 1,500 metres into sky

A picture from the centre for volcanology and geological disaster mitigation (PVMBG) shows a volcano spewing ash into the air during the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano, in the Sunda Strait. - AFP

JAKARTA. Feb 5 (dpa): Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano spewed thick ash 1,500 metres into the sky on Saturday, the country's Geological Agency said.

The volcano first erupted on Friday, sending a column of grey smoke 1,000 metres in the air, according to the agency.

Anak Krakatau has shown increased seismic activity since mid-January, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

The Geological Agency warned people to stay away from a 2-kilometre exclusion zone.

The volcano's huge eruption in 2018 triggered a tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java, killing 430 people, and caused it to lose much of its visible height.

It is located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra.

Anak Krakatau, which means Child of Kratakau, was created after the legendary eruption of Krakatau volcano in August 1883, which killed an estimated 35,000 people. - dpa