Mount Semeru Erupts on Thursday Afternoon, Activity Level at Alert

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday (29/1/2026) at 2:45 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 18 times.

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

No visual eruption was observed. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 109 seconds.

(Read: West Sumatra Floods and Landslides Claim 200 Lives, Here's the Distribution (December 4, 2025))

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on January 29, 2026, from 06:00-12:00 WIB showed 17 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 15-22 millimeters and durations of 61-115 seconds. Additionally, there were 4 exhalation quakes with amplitudes of 4-5 millimeters and durations of 39-60 seconds.

PVMBG advises against any activity 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 engage in activities within 500 meters from the riverbanks (river borders) 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 386 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has erupted the most with 200 times.

(Read: Floods and Extreme Weather, Most Frequent Disasters in Indonesia in 2025)