Mount Semeru Erupts Saturday Morning, Status Raised to Alert

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 6:56 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 13 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 1,000 meters above the peak (4,676 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the north. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 23 millimeters and a duration of 208 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on February 17, 2024, from 00:00 to 06:00 WIB showed 16 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 82-138 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 4 rockfall quakes with amplitudes of 2-6 mm and durations of 60-88 seconds, and 4 tremor quakes with amplitudes of 4-8 millimeters and durations of 49-91 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 pyroclastic flow and lava flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 212 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (57 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 49 times.