Mount Semeru Erupts on Tuesday Night, Status Raised to Alert

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Tuesday (23/1/2024) at 6:53 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 18 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 be approximately 800 meters above the peak (4,476 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity towards the northeast and east. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 123 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on January 23, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB showed 20 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 13-22 millimeters and durations of 63-128 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 3 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 6-9 millimeters and durations of 48-62 seconds, and 1 distant tectonic quake with an amplitude of 21 millimeters, S-P 16 seconds, and a duration of 46 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 boundary) 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 109 volcanic eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (48 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 9 times.