Mount Semeru Erupts Again in the Early Hours of Today, Ash Column Reaches Approximately 500 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 04:50 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 27 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 500 meters above the peak, or 4,176 meters above sea level.

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

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level II (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on March 18, 2025, from 00:00 to 23:59 WIB, showed 40 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 55-160 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 2 rockfall quakes with amplitudes of 2-3 mm and durations of 51-75 seconds, and 16 emission quakes with amplitudes of 3-8 millimeters and durations of 35-166 seconds.

PVMBG advises against any activity in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, up to 8 kilometers from the peak (eruption center). Outside this distance, people should not engage in activities within 500 meters of the riverbank (river buffer zone) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for pyroclastic flow and lahar flows extending up to 13 kilometers from the peak.

During 2025, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 2,266 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has experienced the most eruptions, with 1,037 recorded events.