In this time-lapsed photo, hot lava runs down from Mount Merapi as its activity continues since local geological authority raised the alert level to the second-highest level in November, in Kaliurang, Indonesia, early Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. Merapi is one of the most volatile among the country's more than 120 volcanoes. (AP Photo/Trisnadi)
AP Photo/Trisnadi
In this photo taken with slow shutter speed, hot lava flows down from the crater of Mount Merapi as its activity continues since local geological authority raised the alert level of the volcano to the second-highest level in November, in Sleman, Indonesia, early Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. Merapi is one of the most volatile among the country's more than 120 volcanoes. (AP Photo/Taufiq Rozzaq)
AP Photo/Taufiq Rozzaq
APTOPIX_Indonesia_Volcano_72135 Hot cloud of volcanic materials run down the slope of Mount Merapi during an eruption in Sleman, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. Indonesia's most active volcano erupted Wednesday with a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) down its slopes. (AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi)
AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi
Indonesia_Volcano_02957 A volunteer uses his walkie talkie as he monitors Mount Merapi during an eruption in Sleman, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. Indonesia's most active volcano erupted Wednesday with a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) down its slopes. (AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi)
AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi
Indonesia_Volcano_79006 A man sprays insecticide at his crops as Mount Merapi is seen erupting int he background, in Sleman, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. Indonesia's most active volcano erupted Wednesday with a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) down its slopes. (AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi)
AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi
Indonesia_Volcano_68587 Hot lava runs down from the crater of Mount Merapi, partially seen behind a mosque in Sleman, Indonesia, late Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. The country's most active volcano erupted Wednesday with a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) down its slopes. (AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi)
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s most active volcano erupted Wednesday with a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet) down its slopes. No casualties were reported.
The sounds of the eruption could be heard 30 kilometers (18 miles) away, officials said. It was Mount Merapi’s biggest lava flow since authorities raised its danger level in November, said Hanik Humaida, the head of Yogyakarta’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center.
She said the volcano’s lava dome is growing rapidly, causing hot lava and gas clouds to flow down its slopes.
After morning rain, the ashfall turned into muck in several villages. More than 150 people, mostly elderly, living within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the crater were evacuated to barracks set up for displaced people.
Authorities in November had evacuated nearly 2,000 people living on the mountain in Magelang and Sleman districts but most have since returned.
The alert is being maintained at the second-highest level and authorities told people to stay out of an existing danger zone around the crater.
The 2,968-meter (9,737-foot) volcano is on densely populated Java island near the ancient city of Yogyakarta. It is the most active of dozens of Indonesian volcanoes and has repeatedly erupted with lava and gas clouds recently.
Merapi’s last major eruption in 2010 killed 347 people.
Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the ocean.
