Mount Semeru Erupts Again Today, Ash Column Reaches 600 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 08.04 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 25 times.

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

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with moderate intensity towards the southwest. The eruption of Mount Semeru was still ongoing at the time of this report.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on May 18, 2024, from 00.00 to 06.00 WIB showed 17 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 11-23 millimeters and durations of 67-133 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 3 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 3-7 millimeters and durations of 36-45 seconds, and 2 distant tectonic quakes with amplitudes of 4-6 millimeters, S-P 24-55 seconds, and durations of 60-115 seconds.

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

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 716 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has experienced the most eruptions, with 259 eruptions.