This is the spectacular moment the Mount Ibu volcano erupted, sending a towering column of ash skywards in Indonesia today.

Footage shows thick grey smoke billowing thousands of feet into the air, leaning towards the west and northwest in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku on the morning of January 15 at 7:11 am.

Locals recounted a loud explosion accompanied by a rumble.

The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a duration of approximately 2 minutes and 11 seconds.

The Geological Agency confirmed that the alert level of the volcano, located in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, was raised to alert level 4.

Locals and tourists have been banned from entering a 4 km radius danger zone, while residents near the area are advised to wear face masks and goggles.

Indonesia, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is a geologically active region with frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country has more than 130 active volcanoes, making it one of the most volcanically active nations in the world.