Merapi Shakes

Thousands dead in earthquake:

At least 2500 people were killed and thousands injured when a powerful earthquake rocked central Indonesia early today, according to the latest data from the social affairs ministry's disaster relief centre in Jakarta .

The 6.2-magnitude quake also triggered heightened activity in Central Java province's deadly Mount Merapi volcano, which has been spewing out clouds of hot ash, gas and lava for several weeks, a scientist said.

The quake struck at 5.54am (0954 AEST), 25 kilometres southwest of the city of Yogyakarta, home to the famed Borobudur temple complex, causing damage in at least three nearby towns, officials said.

We've been following Mount Merapi here, here, here, here, and here.

Update: Over 3500 killed. Slideshow here.