Mount Semeru Launches Hot Clouds Falling Up To 5 Kilometers Again

A column of ash as high as 200 meters from the summit of Mount Semeru last Monday, January 3 (ANTARA/HO-PVMBG)

JAKARTA - The Semeru Volcano Post, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) noted that Mount Semeru again launched avalanche hot clouds (APG) as far as 5 kilometers towards Besuk Kobokan and Besuk Lengkong today at 08.35 WIB.

It was noted that the movement of the seismograph showed a maximum amplitude of 26 millimeters with a duration of 969 seconds. The height of the brown ash column was observed at approximately 1500 meters above the peak with thick intensity to the southeast and south.

"This has resulted in thin volcanic ash rain in the Kebonseket Village, Candipuro District and Penanggal Village, Pronojiwo District, Lumajang Regency, East Java," said Plt. Head of BNPB Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in his statement, Wednesday, January 5.

Abdul Muhari said that until now, it was reported that the condition of the community was monitored to be safe and conducive.

Previously, Mount Semeru also spewed a column of ash up to 200 meters above the mountain peak on Monday, January 3 at 12:25 WIB. Next, hot clouds of avalanches with thick intensity headed to the southeast.

For information, the activity status of Mount Semeru is still at Level III (Siaga) since December 16, 2021. Thus, it is recommended not to carry out any activities in the Southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan as far as 13 Kilometers from the summit.

Beyond this distance, the community should not carry out activities at a distance of 500 meters from the river bank (river border) 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 km from the summit.

"Be aware of the potential for APG, lava avalanches, and lahars along rivers/valleys that originate at the summit of Mount Semeru, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat as well as the potential for lahars in small rivers which are tributaries. from Visit Kobokan," explained Abdul Muhari.