Mount Semeru Eruption 29 Times Over The Last 6 Hours

The Semeru Hot Clouds (APG) had exceeded the Gladak Perak bridge on Sunday (4/12/2022) (ANTARA/HO-Medsos Regent of Lumajang)

JAKARTA - Mount Semeru in East Java has erupted 29 times. The data was obtained based on the observation period on December 5 2022 at 00.00-06.00 WIB.

"The results of observing today's seismicity for six hours, Mount Semeru also experienced 29 eruptions or eruptions with an amplitude of 11-22 mm and an earthquake duration of 65-120 seconds", said the Semeru Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) Officer, Mukdas Sofian in a written statement, Monday, December 5.

Based on observations, Semeru was also recorded to have experienced six earthquakes with an amplitude of 1-8 mm and an earthquake duration of 50-140 seconds, one deep volcanic earthquake, and one distant tectonic earthquake.

"Visual observations, Mount Semeru is clearly visible, observed white crater smoke with a thin to the moderate intensity that reaches 500 meters from the summit, then weak winds to the southwest", he said.

The status of Mount Semeru has increased from Level III or Standby to Level IV or Caution since 4 December 2022 at 12.00 WIB. The increase in status prompted the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to provide several recommendations for the public to comply.

Mukdas explained the community was advised not to carry out any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan as far as 13 km from the peak (the eruption center).

Outside of this distance, the community does not carry out activities at a distance of 500 meters from the riverbank (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.

The community is also asked not to move within a 5 km radius of the crater/top of Mount Semeru because it is prone to the danger of throwing stones (incandescent).

Then be aware of the potential for hot cloud avalanches, lava avalanches, and lava along rivers/valleys that disgorge at the top of Mount Semeru, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat as well as the potential for lava in small rivers which are tributary of Besuk Kobokan.