Eruption of Mount Semeru This Morning, Launches Hot Clouds up to 4 Km

JAKARTA - Volcanic activity in Indonesia is still ongoing, considering the many active volcanoes spread across various regions. One of them is Mount Semeru, which is known as the highest mountain on the island of Java and often erupts.

Mount Semeru, which is on the border of Lumajang and Malang Regencies, East Java, erupted again on Sunday morning, accompanied by hot ash clouds (APG) that flew up to 4 kilometers away.

Mount Semeru Observation Post Officer, Mukdas Sofian, explained that the first eruption occurred at 07.06 WIB.

"Mount Semeru erupted at 07.06 WIB with an observed eruption column height of about 1,000 meters above the peak, or a height of 4,676 meters above sea level (msl)," he said.

The column of ash was observed to be white to gray with a fairly thick intensity and directed to the southwest. The activity was also recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of about 4 minutes 31 seconds.

He added that the eruption was accompanied by a hot cloud drift as far as 4 kilometers towards Besuk Kobokan.

"The eruption of Mount Semeru was accompanied by hot clouds falling as far as 4 kilometers from the peak towards Besuk Kobokan," he said.

Not long after, an eruption occurred again at 07.33 WIB. However, the eruption was not visible because it was covered by fog, although the activity was recorded on the seismograph with a duration of 110 seconds. Similar activity occurred again at 10.15 WIB with a duration of 165 seconds.

Currently, the status of Mount Semeru is still at Level III or Alert. The public is prohibited from carrying out activities in the southeast sector, especially along Besuk Kobokan to a radius of 13 kilometers from the peak.

In addition, residents are also asked not to carry out activities within 500 meters from the river banks in the area because they have the potential to be affected by the expansion of the hot cloud and lava flow which can reach up to 17 kilometers.

On the other hand, the radius of five kilometers from the crater must also be sterile from activity because it is at risk of being exposed to incandescent material ejection.

Officers reminded the public to remain vigilant against other potential hazards such as lava discharge, hot clouds, and lava that can flow through a number of rivers that flow into the top of Semeru, especially in the Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat areas.

This condition is an important reminder for the surrounding community to always follow official recommendations and increase vigilance against volcanic activity.