Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Morning, Volcanic Ash Plume Around 200 Meters High

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Friday (17/10/2025) at 07:52 AM Western Indonesian Time. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 15 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column reached 200 meters above the summit (3,876 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with moderate intensity moving west. Mount Semeru's eruption was still ongoing when this report was made.

(Read: Chad Becomes the Country with the Worst Air Quality in the World 2024)

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level II (Alert). Seismic observations on October 17, 2025, from 00:00-23:59 Western Indonesian Time, showed 53 eruption/explosive earthquakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 51-143 seconds.

Additionally, there were 3 avalanche earthquakes with amplitudes of 3-8 mm and durations of 45-81 seconds, and 2 emission earthquakes with amplitudes of 2-8 millimeters and durations of 63-66 seconds.

PVMBG advised against any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, as far as 8 kilometers from the summit (eruption center). Beyond this distance, the public is advised not to conduct activities within 500 meters from the riverbanks (river borders) along Besuk Kobokan, as there is a potential for expansion of hot clouds and lava flows up to 13 kilometers from the summit.

Throughout 2025, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 6,681 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has erupted the most, with 2,628 eruptions.

(Read: Indonesia, Country with the Worst Air Quality in Southeast Asia)