Mount Semeru Erupts on Saturday Afternoon, Alert Level Raised

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 5:41 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 8 times.

According to eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column height reached 1,500 meters above the peak or 5,176 meters above sea level.

The ash column was observed to be 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 110 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 20, 2024, from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB showed 5 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 21-22 millimeters and durations of 75-125 seconds.

Then, there were 2 rockfall quakes with amplitudes of 5 mm and durations of 60 seconds, and 1 harmonic tremor with an amplitude of 7 millimeters and a duration of 125 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 boundary) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for the expansion of pyroclastic flows and lahars up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 560 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has had the most eruptions, with 180 eruptions.