Mount Semeru Erupts Again Today, Ash Column Reaches 1,000 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 7:16 AM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 14 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 reach 1,000 meters above the peak or 4,676 meters above sea level.

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with moderate intensity towards the southwest. The eruption of Mount Semeru was still ongoing at the time of this report.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on February 23, 2024, from 00:00 to 06:00 AM WIB showed 24 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 62-134 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 4 rockfall quakes with amplitudes of 2-3 mm and durations of 56-83 seconds, and 4 emission quakes with amplitudes of 4-8 millimeters and durations of 35-50 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 edge) 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 246 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra had the most eruptions (69 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 64 times.