Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) at 19:42 WIB. In the past week, Mount Semeru has erupted 33 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the height of the observed ash column reached None meters above the peak or None meters above sea level.

The eruption visual was not observed. The eruption of Mount Semeru was still ongoing when this report was made.

(Read: Nearly 5 Thousand Natural Disasters in Indonesia Throughout 2023, Forest and Land Fires Dominated)

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, the activity level of Mount Semeru is at Level III (Standby). Seismic observations on February 18, 2026 from 12:00 to 18:00 WIB showed 21 eruption/explosion earthquakes with an amplitude of 12-23 millimeters and a duration of 88-138 seconds.

Then, 3 emission earthquakes with an amplitude of 2-7 millimeters and a duration of 30-69 seconds, as well as 1 volcanic flood tremor with an amplitude of 16 millimeters and a duration of 1956 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 carry out activities within 500 meters of the riverbank along the Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for being affected by the expansion of hot clouds and lahar flows up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

Throughout 2026, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 669 volcanic eruptions/explosions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has the most eruptions with 353 events.

(Read: Many Forest and Land Fires in Concession Areas, Especially Palm Oil Concessions)