PVMBG: Mount Semeru Erupts Again, Two Eruptions Today

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Thursday (25/1/2024) at 4:14 PM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 23 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 800 meters above the peak (4,476 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the northeast and east. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 125 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 25, 2024, from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB showed 18 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 10-22 millimeters and durations of 40-129 seconds.

Then, there were 2 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 3-7 millimeters and durations of 38-40 seconds, and 1 distant tectonic quake with an amplitude of 20 millimeters, S-P 26 seconds, and a duration of 64 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 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 117 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (48 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 14 times.