Scientists said tremors rocking a deadly Indonesian volcano Friday were signs a powerful eruption could be imminent, while some nearby villagers were staying put hoping that if they kept quiet the mountain would not blow, AP reported. The intensity and frequency of the tremors at Mount Kelud already exceed those in the days preceding the last time its blew its top in 1990, indicating an underground reservoir of magma is poised to break the surface of a lake at its crater. «The activity of volcanic tremor is increasing, but the eruption has not happened yet,» said Umar Rosadi, part of a team of 16 scientists monitoring the peak in the heart of densely populated Java island. «It is strange, but that is the nature of the volcano.» More than 100,000 people living in areas considered to be at risk were ordered from their homes when the peak was put at its highest alert level more than two weeks ago, but most never left or have since returned to their homes, officials say. Some of those who stayed behind were asked to sign a statement saying they would not seek compensation funds if they were injured or lost family members due to an eruption, said local community leader chief Susiadi, who goes by a single name.
