Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Evening (Saturday, May 18, 2024)

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 5:34 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 29 times.

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

The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity towards the northwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 23 millimeters and a duration of 176 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on May 18, 2024, from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB showed 14 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 13-22 millimeters and durations of 70-115 seconds.

Furthermore, there was 1 rockfall earthquake with an amplitude of 5 mm and a duration of 122 seconds, and 3 emission quakes with amplitudes of 3-7 millimeters and durations of 21-51 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, people should not engage in activities within 500 meters of the riverbank (river boundary) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for pyroclastic flow and lahar flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 720 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has experienced the most eruptions, with 263 eruptions.