Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Morning, Ash Column Reaches Approximately 700 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 5:43 AM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru had only erupted once.

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

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the southwest and west. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 108 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on May 6, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM WIB showed 7 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 12-23 millimeters and durations of 75-139 seconds. Then, there were 2 distant tectonic earthquakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters, s-p 14-35 seconds, and durations of 43-148 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 633 volcanic eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java has experienced the most eruptions, with 214 recorded events.