Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight, Ash Reaches 800 Meters Above the Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 00:34 WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 3 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the height of the ash column was observed to be approximately 800 meters above the peak (4,476 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray in color with thick intensity towards the southwest and west. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 134 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on April 18, 2024, from 18:00 to 23:59 WIB showed 9 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 41-161 seconds.

Then, there were 3 rockfall quakes with amplitudes of 3-8 mm and durations of 48-129 seconds, and 3 harmonic tremors with amplitudes of 3-6 millimeters and durations of 129-504 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 pyroclastic flow and lahar flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 546 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has had the most eruptions, with 175 eruptions.