Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung forced more than 1,000 villagers to leave their homes after an eruption on Sunday sent ash high into the sky, The Associated Press reports.

“The Head of Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center in the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has increased Mount Sinabung’s status from vigilant level III to alert level III,” said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroh in a statement obtained by ANTARA.

“We suggested people who live in several villages that include Sikameriah, Bekerah, Simacem and Nardinding and those within three kilometers radius or who are located in the front of the crater to flee to safer places,” Nugroh noted.

 According to Reuters, Mount Sinabung is one of nearly 130 active volcanoes in the country. A 2010 LiveScience article notes that Indonesia is in a terrible position when it comes to seismic activity. In fact, Indonesia is positioned between the world’s most active and second most active seismic regions — the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Alpide belt.

While it may seem a bit odd to live so close to an active volcano, the Discovery Channel’s “Curiosity Blog” points out that there are a number of rewards to life next to a volcano. The first reward is the soil. Volcanic soil is great for growing food. The second reward is the power. Rivers running off volcanoes can offer an excellent source of hydroelectric power.

Would you risk living next to a volcano for rich soil and cheap power? Sound off in the comments section.