The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) is on standby to respond at the direction of the Australian Government following the eruptions of Mount Sinabung on Sumatra, one of Indonesia's main islands.

The volcano in the North Sumatra province has been shooting smoke and ash more than 500 metres (1,640 feet) into the air since Monday and the region has been placed on high alert.

While volcanic ash fall is not expected to affect Darwin at this stage, medical services are prepared.

Mount Sinabung is among about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

The 2,600-meter (8,530-feet) Mount Sinabung has sporadically erupted since 2010, after being dormant for 400 years. An eruption last year killed at least 17 people.

The NCCTRC continues to work closely with its Indonesian health counterparts and is prepared should a medical response be required.

The NCCTRC was established following the 2002 Bali bombings and most recently coordinated the deployment of an Australian Medical Assistance Team to Vanuatu in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Pam.

Media contact: Michelle Foster 0459 166 801