Mount Semeru Erupts Again in the Early Hours of Today, Volcanic Ash Reaches 500 Meters Above the Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 04:20 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 17 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 reach 500 meters above the peak (4,176 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the south and southwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 119 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on July 9, 2024, from 18:00 to 23:59 WIB, showed 38 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 12-22 millimeters and durations of 52-202 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 2 rockfall quakes with amplitudes of 3-8 mm and durations of 35-57 seconds, and 3 emission quakes with amplitudes of 6-8 millimeters and durations of 59-77 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 edge) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for pyroclastic flow and lava flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 1,534 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has experienced the most eruptions, with 678 recorded events.