Mount Semeru Erupts Early Thursday Morning, Status Raised to Alert

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 01:06 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 12 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 in color with thick intensity towards the south and southwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 112 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 7, 2024, from 18:00 to 23:59 WIB showed 19 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 77-110 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 4 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 4-6 millimeters and durations of 46-70 seconds, and 4 deep volcanic quakes with amplitudes of 10-15 millimeters, s-p 2-3 seconds, and durations of 11-30 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 pyroclastic flow and lahar flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 378 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra experienced the most eruptions (128 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 105 times.