People Are Reminded Not To Do Activities Near The Crater Of Mount Semeru

JAKARTA - The government has appealed to the public not to move within a one-kilometer radius of the crater of Mount Semeru, which this afternoon erupted with hot clouds falling and heavy rain of volcanic ash.

"People, visitors, and tourists are not active within a one-kilometer radius of the crater or peak of Mount Semeru," said an officer from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yuda Prinardita Pura, in a statement quoted by Antara, Saturday, December 4.

Yuda said the public was also advised not to move within five kilometers of the crater opening in the southeast-south sector and to be aware of hot clouds avalanche, lava avalanches, and lahars along rivers or valleys that originate at the peak of Mount Semeru.

According to him, the radius and distance of this recommendation will be evaluated continuously to anticipate if there are symptoms of changes in the threat of danger.

In addition, the public is also asked to stay away from or not to do activities in areas affected by hot cloud material because the temperature is still high and to be aware of the potential for slides along the hot cloud path valley in the Besuk Kobokan area.

"Be aware of the threat of lahars in the river channel or valley that originates in Mount Semeru considering the large amount of volcanic material that has been formed," Yuda said.

Mount Semeru, which has a height of 3,676 meters above sea level, was reported to have increased activity and then erupted accompanied by hot clouds of avalanches and rain of volcanic ash, approximately on Saturday (4/12) at 15.00 western Indonesia time.

Meteorological conditions at the location in the form of cloudy and rainy weather. The wind is blowing weakly to the west and the air temperature is around 22-26 degrees Celsius.

Based on observations from the PVMBG of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, there were two incandescent lava avalanches with a sliding distance of approximately 500 meters to 800 meters with the center of the avalanche located approximately 500 meters below the crater.

"Two incandescent lava avalanches were observed with a sliding distance of approximately 500 to 800 meters. Visually, Mount Semeru is predominantly covered in fog," said Yuda.