Mount Semeru Erupts Thursday Morning, Alert Level Raised

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 6:04 AM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 10 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 600 meters above the peak (4,276 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with moderate intensity towards the south. The eruption of Mount Semeru was still ongoing at the time of this report.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on February 8, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM WIB showed 16 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 15-22 millimeters and durations of 51-105 seconds. There were also 2 flood tremors with amplitudes of 10-14 millimeters and durations of 1260-2340 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, the public should not engage in activities within 500 meters of the riverbank (river buffer zone) along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for expansion of pyroclastic flows and lahars up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 164 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (54 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 35 times.