The Mount Raung volcano erupted, sending an ash cloud two miles high in Indonesia.

Dramatic footage shows the stratovolcano emitting a dark plume rising as high as 2,000 metres from the summit on Tuesday, December 24, around 9:30 am. The mountain is located on the border of three districts – Banyuwangi, Jember, and Bondowoso in East Java.

The Head of the Raung Volcano Observation Post (PPGA), Burhan Aletea, said: 'This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 32 mm and a duration of approximately 4 minutes 42 seconds.'

The volcano is currently on alert level 2 status.

Aletea added: 'We recommend that the public or tourists do not approach the eruption center in the peak crater within a radius of 3 kilometers.'

Authorities also warned the public not to descend the caldera or spend the night in the crater area.

Local authorities closely monitor the situation and urge residents and travellers to follow safety precautions.

Mount Raung, standing at 3,069 metres above sea level, is the third-highest peak in East Java and features a vast caldera that reaches a depth of 500 metres.

Indonesia regularly experiences seismic and volcanic activity due to its Pacific Ring of Fire location.