Taipei, Dec. 2 (CNA) Wandan mud dome, one of Taiwan's 17 active mud volcanoes, erupted early Friday after nearly a year of inactivity, spilling mud flows of up to two meters high.

Up to noon Friday, hot gray mud was still spewing from the volcano in Pingtung County and residents could be seen lighting fires nearby to burn off the gases emitted by the volcano.

The mud flowing from three cracks in Hsinyuan Township spread to a public cemetery and a corn field but no other damage was reported.

The eruption occurred south of Wandan Township, where the first eruption in the 1720s was recorded.

The eruptions typically take place once or twice every year nearthe border between the two towns. There has not been an eruption inHsinyuan itself for nearly half a century, according to residents.

(By Kuo Chu-chen and Kendra Lin)enditem/ pc