PVMBG Records 2 Times Of Incandescent Lava Falls On Mount Semeru

PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said 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," said PVMBG Officer Yuda Prinardita Pura in a statement quoted by Antara, Saturday, December 4.

Mount Semeru, located in Lumajang Regency, East Java, erupted accompanied by hot clouds falling and heavy rain of volcanic ash on Saturday afternoon.

Dozens of residents in Sumberwuluh Village, Lumajang Regency, East Java, reportedly began to evacuate due to the incident.

The rain of volcanic ash caused a number of areas in Pronojiwo and Candipuro sub-districts to be dark as night, so the local government will open evacuation posts in Kajang and Pronojiwo Rooms.

Yuda asked the public, visitors, and tourists not to move within a one-kilometer radius of the crater of Mount Semeru and five kilometers to the crater opening in the southeast-south sector, and to be aware of avalanche clouds, lava avalanches, and lahars along rivers or valleys flowing through the river or valley that start at the top of Mount Semeru.

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 currently the temperature is still high and to be aware of the potential for slides along the valley of the Besuk Kobokan hot cloud path.

"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 accompanied by hot clouds of avalanches and rain of volcanic ash, at approximately 15.00 western Indonesia time.

Based on data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Mount Semeru experienced increased volcanic activity with hot clouds falling towards Besuk Kobokan, Pronojiwo District, Lumajang Regency, East Java, at approximately 15.20 western Indonesia time.