Alert! Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Morning (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) at 08:08 WIB. In the past week, Mount Semeru has erupted 19 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column height is around 800 meters above the peak (4,476 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the northeast. The eruption was recorded on the seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 154 seconds.

(Read: Countries with the Most Active Volcanoes in the World, Indonesia Ranks First)

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is Level III (Alert). Earthquake observations on March 17, 2026, from 00:00 to 06:00 WIB showed 24 eruption/explosion earthquakes with amplitudes of 12-22 millimeters and durations of 73-139 seconds.

Then, 3 emission earthquakes with amplitudes of 4-6 millimeters and durations of 20-49 seconds, as well as 3 harmonic earthquakes with amplitudes of 4-11 millimeters and durations of 99-113 seconds.

PVMBG advises against any activities in the southeast sector along the Besuk Kobokan, up to 13 kilometers from the peak (eruption center). Beyond that distance, residents should not conduct activities within 500 meters of the riverbank along the Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for being affected by expanding pyroclastic flows and lahar flows up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

Throughout 2026, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 1,057 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has the most eruptions with 568 events.

(Read: Volcanic Eruption Trends in Recent Years)