Volcano, quakes spark fear on Sumatra

A volcano on Indonesia's Sumatra island erupted yesterday sending hot ash high into the air and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of villagers, officials said.

The eruption was accompanied by a string of moderate earthquakes that rattled towns in Sumatra, which is still recovering from a massive December 26 quake and tsunami that killed nearly 130,000 people on its northern end.

Scientists have warned of increased seismic activity in Indonesia following the magnitude 9 quake in December as the plates that make up the earth's crust adjust.

Officials said hot ash and thick smoke spewed out of Mt Talang, which lies near the west coast city of Padang, 938 km northwest of Jakarta, near the epicentre of four moderate quakes yesterday.