Imagine living near a dormant volcano all your life. The volcano hasn’t erupted in 400 years, so naturally no one can warn you when it’s going to erupt again. In your early years, you might even have played near the foot of that volcano thinking it was just a mountain.

In western Indonesia, a volcano spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years.

Government volcanologist Surono, who uses only one name, said Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province started rumbling a few days ago and the minor morning eruption has mostly stopped.

The volcano had been placed on red level, the highest alert.

"Despite decreasing activities since the eruption, we haven't downgraded the status level," said Surono, who goes by one name, like many Indonesians.

It sent sand and ash up to a mile (1.5 kilometers) high but lava only moved near its crater. It caused no major damage and "only dust covered plants and trees," he said.

He said Mount Sinabung last erupted in 1600, so observers don't know the volcano's eruption pattern and are monitoring it closely for more activity.

"This is the first time since 1600 that Sinabung erupted and we have little knowledge in terms on its eruptive patterns and general forms."

Evacuations on the volcano's slopes started Friday at the first signs of activity. Up to 10,000 people who fled are staying in government buildings, houses of worship and other evacuation centers in two nearby towns.

One person was reported dead of respiratory problems while fleeing his home.

The government has distributed 7,000 masks to refugees and set up public kitchens so people can cook food, said Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.

The nearest big city to the volcano is Medan and there were no disruptions to flights.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is on the so-called "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. (with reports from AP and Reuters)