N. Sulawesi volcano eruptions increasing

Ring of fire: In this July 17, photo file, Mt. Lokon spews volcanic ash as seen from Tomohon, North Sulawesi. The volcano unleashed its most powerful eruption yet, spewing hot ash and smoke thousands of meters into the air as villagers raced to emergency shelters. (AP)Mt. Lokon in Tomohon city, North Sulawesi, erupted three times on Tuesday morning, according to the Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG).

The first eruption occurred at 3:07 a.m. local time (2:07 a.m. Jakarta time), followed shortly by two other eruptions, tempo.co reported.

The volcano's activity has been increasing since Monday, Farid Ruskanda Bina, head of the PVMBG's local monitoring post, said.

The volcano's activity accelerated on Tuesday, he said. From midnight to 6 a.m. Tuesday, 23 deep volcanic tremors, 40 shallow volcanic tremors, four blows and three eruptions were recorded.

Farid said that the PVMBG's warning level for Mt. Lokon would be maintained at "alert", the second-highest level, with an exclusion zone of 2.5 kilometers from the volcano.

The volcano erupted on July 15, forcing more than 5,000 people from three villages to evacuate for two weeks.