Mount Semeru Erupts Again, Throws 800 Meters Of Ash

Mount Semeru on the border of Lumajang Regency with Malang, East Java. (Between)

JATIM - Mount Semeru erupted again on Sunday 31 December. The mountain in East Java ejected 800 meters of ash from the summit or about 4,476 meters above sea level.

Based on information from the Mount Semeru observation post officer on Mount Sawur, Lumajang Regency, Ghufron Alwi which was confiscated by Antara, the mountain erupted at 01.30 WIB and was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of 207 seconds.

During the observation period on Sunday, December 31 at 00.00 to 06.00 WIB, Ghufron said the main crater of Mount Semeru emitted thin white smoke about 100 meters from the summit.

During that period, the 3,676 meter high mountain experienced 11 eruptions with an amplitude of 12-22 mm for 71-170 seconds, one eruption hot cloud earthquake with an amplitude of 22 mm for 207 seconds, and four gusts with an amplitude of 4-8 mm for 50-62 seconds.

In addition, Semeru experienced one harmonic earthquake with an amplitude of 3 mm for 267 seconds and three distant tectonic earthquakes with an amplitude of 8-10 mm for 52-274 seconds.

According to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the status of Mount Semeru is still at Level III or Alert.

Residents are prohibited from doing activities in the southeast sector, along Besuk Kobokan, up to 13 km from the summit (the center of the eruption).

In addition, PVMBG asked residents not to carry out activities in areas 500 meters from the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan up to 17 km from the summit because it has the potential to be affected by hot clouds and lava flows.

Residents are also asked not to carry out activities in areas within a radius of 5 km from the crater/peak of Mount Semeru because they are prone to being affected by incandescent stones.

PVMBG urges residents to be aware of the potential for hot clouds of avalanches, lava avalanches, and lahars along rivers/valleys that originate at the top of Mount Semeru, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat as well as tributaries from Besuk Kobokan.