Mount Semeru Erupts Again in the Early Hours of Today, Ash Reaches Approximately 700 Meters High

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 03:31 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 12 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 700 meters above the peak (4,376 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the southwest and west. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 186 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on April 12, 2024, from 18:00 to 23:59 WIB, showed 11 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 69-155 seconds.

Furthermore, there was 1 rockfall quake with an amplitude of 3 mm and a duration of 67 seconds, and 4 emission quakes with amplitudes of 6-8 millimeters and durations of 49-62 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 buffer zone) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for expansion of pyroclastic flows and lava flows up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 518 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has experienced the most eruptions, with 167 eruptions.