Mount Semeru Erupts on Wednesday Night, Status Raised to Alert

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 11:55 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 11 times.

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

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the northwest. The eruption was recorded on the seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 128 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on February 21, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM WIB showed 22 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 12-22 millimeters and durations of 64-143 seconds.

Then, there was 1 rockfall earthquake with an amplitude of 4 mm and a duration of 64 seconds, and 2 emission quakes with amplitudes of 4-6 millimeters and durations of 52-57 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 lava flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 239 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra had the most eruptions (68 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 61 times.