Mount Semeru Erupts Again Tonight, Ash Reaches 700 Meters Above the Peak

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 7:02 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 5 times.

According to eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column reached 700 meters above the peak (4,376 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the south and southwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 121 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on March 5, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB showed 16 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 49-108 seconds.

Furthermore, there was 1 rockfall earthquake with an amplitude of 2 mm and a duration of 77 seconds, and 4 emission quakes with amplitudes of 5-6 millimeters and durations of 35-80 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 buffer zone) 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 366 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra had the most eruptions (123 eruptions), while Mount Semeru erupted 98 times.