Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight, Volcanic Ash Reaches Approximately 600 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 10:19 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 10 times.

According to 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 600 meters above the peak (4,276 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the northwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 21 millimeters and a duration of 127 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on February 21, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB showed 13 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 69-127 seconds. There were also 10 tremors with amplitudes of 3-6 millimeters and durations of 47-63 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 the expansion of pyroclastic flows and lava flows up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 238 volcanic eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra had the most eruptions (68 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 60 times.