Mount Marapi volcano erupted in Indonesia today - sending a 5,250ft ash column towering above homes.

Dramatic footage shows the plume rising from the volcano in West Sumatra on Tuesday morning, August 12.

Volcano Monitoring Officers reported that the eruption occurred at 8:39 am local time. It was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 30.4 millimetres and lasted approximately 34 seconds.

Mount Marapi is currently on Alert Level II.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) advised the public, including tourists and hikers, to avoid all activity within a three-kilometre radius of the Verbeek Crater.

PVMBG also warned of the potential risk of cold lava flows, muddy volcanic runoff, particularly for residents living along rivers that originate from the volcano's summit.

Locals were urged to wear masks to avoid inhaling ash particles carried by the wind.

Mount Marapi is an active stratovolcano located in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Standing at around 9,485ft, it is one of the most active volcanoes on the island and frequently erupts with ash and lava. Its activity poses ongoing risks to nearby communities, including ashfall and cold lava flows. Marapi is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.