Warning! Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight (Saturday, January 17, 2026)

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Saturday (17/1/2026) at 18:40 WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 43 times.

According to eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the height of the ash column was observed to be around None meters above the peak (None meters above sea level).

Eruption visuals were not observed. Mount Semeru's eruption was still ongoing when this report was made.

(Read: 10 Countries with the Most Earthquakes in 2023, Indonesia Ranks First)

According to MAGMA Indonesia's volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismicity observations on January 17, 2026, from 12:00-18:00 WIB showed 26 eruption/explosion earthquakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and earthquake durations of 68-142 seconds.

Subsequently, there were 3 rockfall earthquakes with amplitudes of 2-3 mm and durations of 37-50 seconds, and 1 gas emission earthquake with an amplitude of 5 millimeters and a duration of 46 seconds.

PVMBG advises against any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, as far as 13 kilometers from the summit (eruption center). Beyond that distance, people should not engage in activities within 500 meters from the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for hot cloud expansion and lava flows up to 17 kilometers from the summit.

Throughout 2026, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 238 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has erupted the most with 132 occurrences.

(Read: Last Five Earthquakes Recorded by BMKG (Saturday, July 19, 2025 18:25:55 WIB))