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

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 00:35 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru had only erupted once.

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 be approximately 600 meters above the peak, or 4,276 meters above sea level.

The ash column was observed to be white to gray in color with thick intensity towards the southwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 113 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on April 29, 2024, from 18:00 to 23:59 WIB, showed 9 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 12-22 millimeters and durations of 90-112 seconds.

Furthermore, there was 1 puffing quake with an amplitude of 9 millimeters and a duration of 38 seconds, and 4 harmonic tremors with amplitudes of 8-12 millimeters and durations of 115-314 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 edge) 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 594 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has had the most eruptions, with 197 eruptions.