This Morning, Mount Semeru Was Recorded To Have Launched 3 Hot Clouds, Residents Were Asked To Remain Cautious

Mount Semeru activity monitored from PPGA Semeru in Mount Sawur, Lumajang Regency (ANTARA DOC)

LUMAJANG - Mount Semeru which has a height of 3,676 meters above sea level (masl) again launched hot clouds of avalanches on Tuesday, December 7 at around 00.00-06.00 western Indonesia time.

This hot cloud slide was monitored from the Semeru Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) on Mount Sawur, Lumajang Regency, East Java.

"Visually, Mount Semeru was clearly visible and the crater smoke was not observed, then the weather was sunny and cloudy, while the wind was blowing weakly to the north," said the Semeru PPGA officer on Mount Sawur, Liswanto, who compiled the report on Semeru's activity.

The highest mountain on the island of Java on Tuesday at 00.00-06.00 western Indonesia time, was recorded to emit hot clouds of avalanches and gusts with a mountain status at level II or alert.

"Heat cloud avalanches were recorded three times with an amplitude of 20-22 mm for 185-267 seconds, while gusts were recorded six times with an amplitude of 2-6 mm for 20-55 seconds," he said.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the status of Mount Semeru is at level II or alert, so people are not allowed to move within a radius of 1 kilometer from the crater or peak of Mount Semeru and a distance of 5 kilometers towards the crater opening in the southeast-south sector.

"People are also asked to be aware of hot clouds avalanche, lava avalanches, and lahars along the river that originates at the peak of Mount Semeru," he said.

He explained that the radius and distance of the recommendations will be evaluated continuously to anticipate if there are symptoms of changes in the threat of danger from the activities of Mount Semeru.

"We urge people to stay away from or not to do activities in areas affected by hot cloud material because the temperature is still high," he said.

The community also needs to be aware of the potential for slides along the valley of the Besuk Kobokan hot cloud path and be aware of the threat of lahars in the river that originates at Mount Semeru given the large amount of volcanic material that has already been formed.