Warning! Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight (Friday, January 9, 2026)

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Friday (1/9/2026) at 00.11 WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 37 times.

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

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with moderate intensity towards the north. The eruption of Mount Semeru was still ongoing when this report was made.

(Read: West Kalimantan Has the Worst Air Quality in Indonesia This Morning (Friday, August 18, 2023))

According to MAGMA Indonesia's volcano activity report, the activity level of Mount Semeru is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on January 9, 2026, from 18.00-23.59 WIB showed 27 eruption earthquakes with amplitudes of 11-22 millimeters and earthquake durations of 69-134 seconds.

Then, 1 rockfall earthquake with an amplitude of 2 mm and an earthquake duration of 51 seconds, and 3 emission earthquakes with amplitudes of 2-7 millimeters and earthquake durations of 45-55 seconds.

PVMBG urges not to carry out any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, as far as 13 kilometers from the peak (eruption center). Beyond that distance, the public is advised not to carry out activities within 500 meters from the river bank (river border) along Besuk Kobokan, as there is a potential for expansion of hot clouds and lava flows up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

Throughout 2026, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 127 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java had the most eruptions, with 74 incidents.

(Read: How Do Residents Identify Clean Air Amidst Poor Air Quality?)