Mount Semeru Erupts on Thursday Night, Alert Level Raised

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday (18/1/2024) at 00.16 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 ash column height was observed to be approximately 700 meters above the peak (4,376 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity towards the north and northeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 120 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 18, 2024, from 18.00-23.59 WIB showed 20 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 12-22 millimeters and durations of 77-139 seconds. Then, there were 3 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 5-8 millimeters and durations of 56-130 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 boundary) 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 77 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (36 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 4 times.