PVMBG Deploys Material Volume Calculation Team At Puncak Semeru

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

LUMAJANG - Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will deploy a relief team to calculate the volume of eruptive material at the peak of Mount Semeru to anticipate the impact of cold lava floods.

"We will send a relief team from Jogja to calculate how much material is actually still above. In the near future this team will be present in Semeru," said PVMBG Head Andiani, quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 9.

Andiani stated that his party had also dispatched an emergency response team and mapped areas affected by the eruption and hot clouds falling from Mount Semeru.

PVMBG dispatched a mapping team that started with flying an unmanned aircraft or drone to monitor the condition of Mount Semeru more broadly. However, a team of geologists related to volcanic rocks will be sent later.

Andiani emphasized that his party is focused on all activities related to volcanology on Mount Semeru.

Currently, PVMBG continues to conduct various studies which are expected to provide knowledge and understanding to the public about the characteristics of Mount Semeru.

Based on visual monitoring carried out by Antara today, dozens of houses in Kamar Kajang Hamlet, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency were submerged by lava from Mount Semeru which was brought by floods due to high-intensity rains that occurred on Wednesday and Thursday morning.

The Kamar Kajang area is an area affected by aftershocks due to hot clouds falling from Mount Semeru after several other hamlets were submerged in sand mixed with rocks, such as Kampung Renteng and Curah Koboan.

Andiani then reminded the public to stay away from areas where hot clouds flow from avalanches because there is still potential for secondary eruptions and rock deposits with high temperatures.

In addition, the public is also asked to be aware of the threat of cold lava flooding because the rainy season continues until next year.

"People do not carry out activities within a radius of one kilometer from the peak and five kilometers in the southeast sector, as well as along the river that originates in the peak area," Andiani said.