Semeru Erupts Again, Residents Asked To Stay Away From Radius 8 Km From Puncak

Eruption of Mount Semeru. (Doc PVMBG)

Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java, erupted on Sunday, May 18 morning, with a volcanic ash column as high as 800 meters above the peak.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) appealed to the public not to approach the dangerous areas that have been set to avoid potential eruption impacts.

Eruption was recorded at 03.55 WIB via the observation post of Mount Semeru. According to reports from the Semeru Volcano Monitoring Post officer, Yadi Yuliandi, the column of ash was observed to be gray and thick and headed west.

The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 20 millimeters and a duration of 189 seconds.

Until now, there has been no reported damage or casualties due to the eruption. However, the status of Mount Semeru is still at Level II (Alert).

As a result of the eruption of Mount Semeru, the public is asked to remain vigilant and comply with all PVMBG recommendations.

Yadi emphasized that people are prohibited from doing activities within a radius of 8 kilometers from the top of the mountain, especially in the southeast sector along the Besuk Kobokan flow.

In addition, the public is also advised to stay away from areas as far as 500 meters from the riverbank because it has the potential to be hit by hot clouds and lava flows that can reach up to 13 kilometers from the summit.

PVMBG reminded the community around the slopes to continue to increase vigilance in line with the ongoing eruption of Mount Semeru. Residents are asked to monitor official information regarding the development of mountain activity.