BMKG Forecasts Semeru Volcanic Ash Will Head West To Southwest For 6 Hours

PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that the volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Semeru will tend to move west to the southwest over the next six hours.

Based on a report from the Juanda Meteorological Station in Surabaya quoted by Antara, Saturday, December 4, the forecast is concluded from the movement of wind direction and speed from the surface (5,000 feet), at an altitude of 10,000 feet, 14 thousand feet, 18 thousand feet, and 24 thousand feet.

As previously reported, Mount Semeru experienced an increase in volcanic activity as indicated by the occurrence of hot cloud avalanches leading to Besuk Kobokan, Sapitarang Village, Pronojiwo District, Lumajang Regency, East Java.

In the chronology of events observed from the Mount Semeru Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) at Gunung Sawur Post, Poncosumo Hamlet, Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District, the vibration of lava floods or hot cloud avalanches was recorded starting at 14.47 western Indonesia time, with a maximum amplitude of 20 millimeters.

At 15.10 western Indonesia time, PPGA Pos Gunung Sawur then reported visually that volcanic ash from hot cloud avalanches was very clearly observed towards Besuk Kobokan and smelled of sulfur. In addition, visual reports from several locations also experienced darkness due to fog from volcanic ash.

Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Information and Communication Data Center Abdul Muhari in a written statement, Saturday, December 4, explained that according to records compiled by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), incandescent lava avalanches were observed with a sliding distance of approximately 500-800 meters with the avalanche center located approximately 500 meters below the crater.

As a quick response to the hot cloud incident, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Lumajang Regency has issued an appeal to the community and miners not to engage in activities along the Lumajang and Kobokan Watersheds.