Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight, Volcanic Ash Reaches 600 Meters Above the Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 10:04 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 15 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 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 southwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 20 millimeters and a duration of 101 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on March 24, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB showed 15 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 68-130 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 5 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 4-8 millimeters and durations of 46-55 seconds, and 2 harmonic tremors with amplitudes of 5-6 millimeters and durations of 102-261 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, the public should not engage in activities within 500 meters of the riverbank (river buffer zone) 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 430 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra had the most eruptions (143 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 131 times.