In pictures: Volcanic eruptions in Indonesia

A woman looks on as Mount Sinabung spews ash, as pictured from Sibintun village in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province, 18 November 2013 — Image caption,
Two volcanoes in Indonesia - Mount Sinabung in Sumatra, seen here, and Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta - erupted on Monday. The volcanic eruptions have caused disruption to airline flights and the evacuation of some villagers.

Mount Sinabung spews pyroclastic smoke as seen from Tigapancur village in Karo district on 14 November 2013 in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Mount Sinabung has been rumbling on and off since September, after being dormant for three years. Its eruption earlier this month caused officials to raise the alert status in the area to the second-highest level.

Refugees are seen at temporary evacuation centre following another eruption of Mount Sinabung in Karo district on 14 November 2013 in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from five villages in North Sumatra due to Mount Sinabung's activity. They have been staying at temporary evacuations centres.

Villagers harvest potatoes at their field, located just less than four kilometres from Mount Sinabung in Karo district on 14 November 2013 in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia

Villagers have been watching Mount Sinabung's activity for days and officials on Monday said the volcano shot ash about 8,000m (26,000ft) into the air. The volcano has also reportedly been spewing lava.

Mount Merapi spews volcanic material as it erupts as seen from Pakem, near the ancient city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, early 18 November 2013

Mount Merapi, near the city of Yogyakarta, was also throwing out volcanic ash about 2,000m (6,500ft) high. It is considered the most active volcano on Java island.

Gianto stands on front of his house destroyed by an eruption of Mount Merapi on 6 September 2013 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Despite the danger posed by the volcano's constant activity, many Indonesians still live along its slopes. Villager Gianto's house was destroyed when the volcano erupted in September.

A worker using a hammer to break the rock as excavator fills a truck with sand in Gendol River riverbed on 6 September 2013 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The volcano's most recent violent eruption was in 2010, when more than 350 people were killed. Yet some people continue to stay near the volcano's slopes, as they rely on the fertile soil as a means of income.