Government volcanologists said the activity was not a fresh eruption and could help to stabilize Mount Merapi, in Central Java province, following its series of deadly eruptions on Tuesday.

"It shot heat clouds at 6:10 am (1110 GMT Thursday) as far as 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) down its southeastern slopes and followed this with ash rain," volcanologist Heru Suparwoko told AFP.

"It's definitely dangerous for anyone who might be in the path of the heat clouds."

The area was evacuated on Monday but some people may have stayed or returned to tend their livestock and check on their homes.

Another volcanologist, Surono, said the volcano, whose name translates as the "Mountain of Fire", also released lava for the first time since its latest round of activity began.

"It's a good development as there won't be an accumulation of energy which will cause a massive eruption like on Tuesday," he said.

More than 50,000 people are living in cramped temporary shelters near the central Java city of Yogyakarta, having been ordered to evacuate a 10-kilometre danger zone on Monday.

earlier related report
Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupts again
Sleman, Indonesia (AFP) Oct 28, 2010 - Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano, which killed 32 people earlier this week, erupted again Thursday, spewing ash and deadly heat clouds, an official said.

Government volcanologist Surono said hot gas and ash spewed from the mouth of Mount Merapi, Indonesia's most active volcano.

"We registered a small volcanic tremor. The threats are still there," he said.

More than 50,000 people have moved into temporary shelters since Monday, when the government issued a red alert for Merapi, indicating that the "Mountain of Fire" could be about to erupt.

The next day a deadly series of massive eruptions left 32 people dead and blanketed nearby villages in searing ash.

Many of the victims were buried in a mass grave earlier Thursday.

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