W.Sumatra volcano continues to expel smoke, dust

Mount Marapi in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, has been spewing black smoke and volcanic dust since Wednesday morning.

Residents living near the mountain said the smoke coming out of the volcano on Wednesday was much thicker than usual.

"When the mountain spew thick black smoke, it is usually not followed by volcanic ash. The dust can be seen on clothes being dried and on leaves," resident Sinaro said Wednesday as reported by kompas.com.

A Mt. Marapi observer at the Vulcanology and Geological Mitigation Center, Warseno, said the mountain had been spewing volcanic dust mixed with sulphur from its peak.

As of Tuesday, the volcanic dust had reached heights of up to 200 meters into the atmosphere as of Tuesday and had spread across several districts and municipalities in West Sumatra.