Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Morning, Ash Column Reaches 800 Meters Above the Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 5:52 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 7 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 reach 800 meters above the peak or 4,476 meters above sea level.

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the north, southwest, and west. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 100 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on March 6, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM WIB showed 25 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 11-22 millimeters and durations of 72-153 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 4 rockfall quakes with amplitudes of 3-4 mm and durations of 50-76 seconds, and 6 tremor quakes with amplitudes of 5-9 millimeters and durations of 48-57 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 edge) 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 369 volcanic eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra experienced the most eruptions (124 eruptions), while Mount Semeru erupted 100 times.