Mount Semeru Erupts Again Today, Ash Column Reaches 700 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Wednesday (24/1/2024) at 7:14 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 21 times.

According to 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 reach 700 meters above the peak or 4,376 meters above sea level.

The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity towards the northwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 112 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on January 24, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB showed 15 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 74-130 seconds. Then, there were 2 distant tectonic earthquakes with amplitudes of 27-32 millimeters, s-p 24-29 seconds, and durations of 73-75 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 carry out activities within 500 meters of the riverbank (river boundary) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for the expansion of pyroclastic flows and lahars up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 115 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (48 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 12 times.