Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Indonesia's Mount Semeru sent volcanic ash columns 6,500 feet high after erupting Wednesday afternoon, posing a danger to regional air traffic and forcing more than 300 to evacuate.
The eruption occurred at 4 p.m. local time on East Java's tallest peak at 12,060 feet and triggered a red aviation alert by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin.
The alert indicates a threat to aviation, and officials at Qantas and Jetstar Airways said they are monitoring the situation but so far have not changed any flights.
The airlines will contact any customers who might be affected if the situation changes.
Virgin Australia also has not cancelled any scheduled flights.
