Indonesia: Mount Merapi close to eruption

The mountain in the heart of Indonesia's Java Island has been shooting out streams of lava and massive clouds of hot ash and gas for more than a month, alarming residents and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from its slopes.

Photo: Indonesia: Mount Merapi close to eruption

Its alert status was downgraded Tuesday to the second-highest level, meaning the volcano is still potentially dangerous, but that villagers can return home, said government scientist Yousana Siagian.

The mountain's lava dome swelled after a powerful May 28 earthquake, raising concerns it could collapse, sending scalding clouds of fast-moving gas, rocks and debris into populated areas, the AP reports.

But a huge superheated cloud, the largest this year, brought down a section of the dome on Friday and created a new crater, relieving some of the pressure.