On December 05 at 00:08 local time, Mount Gamalama has erupted and spewed lava and ash on a town in eastern Indonesia, prompting thousands of residents to flee. A scientist monitoring the volcano, says the eruption has caused panic on the island.

Update 05/12 – 12:25 UTC
– The Indonesian authorities are maintaining the current alert level on Siaga
– The latest bulletin of VAAC (Volcanic Ash Advisory ) is mentioning the eruption but has no specific ash cloud radius due to the bad weather (cloud). VAAC says the the volcano plume rose 1500 ft above the crater (approx. 500 meter)

Update 05/12 – 11:00 UTC :  Disturbing Images of the Indonesian TV are showing people running away from there houses and ash flooding in villages. The weather is really bad in the area and actual footage of the eruption itself is not yet published.
– People are advised to wear masks as it is raining ash.
– The airport has been closed
– The volcano is in the second highest state of alert (Siaga or Level 3) since December 4, 2011
– Some people choose to evacuate to the neighboring island of Tidore
– Last eruption of the Gamalama volcano occurred in 2003

Historic eruptions of the Gamalama volcano (Gunung Gamalama)

Data from James Daniell Volcano CATDAT

for more, go to:   http://earthquake-report.com/2011/12/05/eruption-of-the-gamalama-volcano-ternate-indonesia/