Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Afternoon, Ash Height Around 600 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Sunday (April 19, 2026) at 5:18 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 55 times.

Quoting eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column height reached 600 meters above the peak or 4,276 meters above sea level.

The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity towards the west. The eruption was recorded on the seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 92 seconds.

(Read: 2022 Low-Cost Housing Recipients, Most Are Natural Disaster Victims)

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Earthquake observations on April 19, 2026 from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB showed 10 eruption/explosion earthquakes with amplitudes of 15-22 millimeters and earthquake durations of 95-177 seconds.

Then, 1 pyroclastic flow earthquake with an amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of 221 seconds, as well as 2 emission earthquakes with amplitudes of 2-4 millimeters and durations of 71-75 seconds.

PVMBG advises against any activities in the southeast sector along the Besuk Kobokan, up to 13 kilometers from the peak (eruption center). Outside this distance, residents should not carry out activities within 500 meters of the riverbank along the Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for pyroclastic flow expansion and lahar flow up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

Throughout 2026, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 1,559 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has the most eruptions with 830 events.

(Read: Data on the Number of Flooded Houses Due to Natural Disasters in Indonesia in 2014)