200 Meter Ash Column Observed At The Peak Of Mount Semeru

Ash column observed from the peak of Mount Semeru, Lumajang, East Java/PHOTO VIA BNPB

JAKARTA - Mount Semeru has again shown its activity by raising a column of ash as high as 200 meters above its peak.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) noted that hot clouds of avalanches followed with thick intensity towards the southeast after the ash column was observed at around 12.25 WIB.

"The volcanic activity as high as approximately 3,976 meters above sea level was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 25 millimeters and a duration of 1,260 seconds," said Plt. Head of BNPB Disaster Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in his statement, Monday, January 3.

Abdul Muhari said, PVMBG issued recommendations in accordance with activity level III (Siaga) so that people do not carry out any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, as far as 13 km from the summit (the center of the eruption).

Outside this distance, the community does not carry out activities at a distance of 500 meters from the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan because it has the potential to be affected by the expansion of hot clouds and lava flows up to a distance of 17 kilometers from the summit.

"PVMBG also asks that there be no activity within a 5 km radius of the crater/peak of Mount Semeru because it is prone to the danger of throwing stones (incandescent)," he said.

In addition, Abdul Muhari also appealed to the public to be aware of the potential for hot clouds of avalanches (APG), lava avalanches, and lahars along rivers/valleys that originate at the peak of Mount Semeru.

"Especially during Kobokan visits, Bang visits, Twin visits, and Sat visits as well as the potential for lahars in small rivers which are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan," he added.