Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Afternoon, Eruption Height 900 Meters Above Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Friday (January 2, 2026) at 5:50 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 13 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the height of the ash column observed reached 900 meters above the peak (4,576 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity towards the northeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 138 seconds.

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

According to MAGMA Indonesia's volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismicity observations on January 2, 2026, from 06:00-12:00 WIB, showed 34 eruption earthquakes with amplitudes of 12-22 millimeters and durations of 93-145 seconds. Additionally, there was 1 harmonic tremor with an amplitude of 10 millimeters and a duration of 106 seconds.

PVMBG advises against any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, as far as 13 kilometers from the peak (eruption center). Beyond that distance, people should not engage in activities within 500 meters of the riverbanks (river borders) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for being affected by the expansion of hot clouds and lava flows up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

Throughout 2026, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 24 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java had the most eruptions, with 13 events.

(Read: Indonesia Has the Most Active Volcanoes in the World)