Mount Semeru Erupts Wednesday Morning, Alert Level Raised

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 7:25 AM WIB. In the last week, Mount Semeru has erupted 19 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column height reached 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 north. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 97 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 24, 2024, from 00:00 to 06:00 AM WIB showed 16 eruption quakes with amplitudes of 13-24 millimeters and durations of 90-100 seconds.

Then, there were 2 puffing quakes with amplitudes of 4-8 millimeters and durations of 28-40 seconds, and 1 harmonic tremor with an amplitude of 8 millimeters and a duration of 112 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 lava flows extending up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 111 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara had the most eruptions (48 times), while Mount Semeru erupted 10 times.