Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight, Ash Column Reaches 1,000 Meters Above Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 7:42 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 16 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column height reached 1,000 meters above the peak or 4,676 meters above sea level.

The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity towards the north and northeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 23 millimeters and a duration of 168 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 1, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB showed 20 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 64-156 seconds.

Then, there were 2 harmonic tremors with amplitudes of 3 millimeters and durations of 584-754 seconds, and 1 flood tremor with an amplitude of 7 millimeters and a duration of 1800 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 carry out activities within 500 meters of the riverbank (river buffer zone) 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 140 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (50 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 27 times.