Mount Semeru Erupts Again in the Early Hours of Today, Ash Column Reaches 1,000 Meters Above the Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 02.08 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 15 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 1,000 meters above the peak (4,676 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray in color with moderate to thick intensity towards the east and southeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 131 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on February 29, 2024, from 18.00 to 23.59 WIB, showed 15 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 57-144 seconds.

Furthermore, there was 1 rockfall earthquake with an amplitude of 3 mm and a duration of 63 seconds, and 8 emission quakes with amplitudes of 2-5 millimeters and durations of 40-61 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 conduct activities within 500 meters of the riverbank (river buffer zone) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for pyroclastic flow and lava flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 296 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra experienced the most eruptions (82 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 81 times.