Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Evening, Eruption Height Approximately 700 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Wednesday (January 31, 2024) at 4:58 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 11 times.

Based on 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 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 northwest. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 124 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 31, 2024, from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB showed 11 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 11-22 millimeters and durations of 54-125 seconds. Then, there were 2 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 3-7 millimeters and durations of 27-70 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 131 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (50 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 22 times.