Height of Mount Semeru Eruption Reaches 1.3 km Above the Peak

Mount Semeru erupted with an eruption column height of about 1.3 km above the peak on Tuesday (14/7/2026) morning. (PVMBG photo)

LUMAJANG - The height of the eruption column of Mount Semeru was observed 1.3 kilometers above the peak or 4,976 meters above sea level twice, according to the Semeru Mountain Observation Post in Sumberwuluh Village, Lumajang, East Java, Tuesday morning.

The eruption occurred at 05.39 WIB with a column of ash observed in white to gray with medium intensity towards the north. When the report was made, the eruption was still ongoing.

"Then at 09.19 WIB, the eruption occurred again with the same eruption height, namely 1.3 km. The ash column was observed to be white to gray with a thick intensity towards the northeast and east," said Mount Semeru Observation Post Officer, Sigit Rian Alfian in a written report received in Lumajang.

According to him, the eruption of the highest mountain on the island of Java was recorded on the seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 23 mm and a duration of 116 seconds.

Mount Semeru has recorded seven eruptions on Tuesday since 00.32 WIB until 11.13 WIB with an eruption height of 800 meters to 1.3 km above the Mahameru peak.

He explained that currently the volcanic activity of Mount Semeru is at Level III Status (Alert) with the recommendation that the public not carry out any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan as far as 13 kilometers from the peak (eruption center).

Outside this distance, he said, the public does not carry out activities at a distance of 500 meters from the river bank (river border) along Besuk Kobokan, because they have the potential to be hit by the expansion of the hot cloud and lava flow up to a distance of 17 kilometers from the peak.

"The public is prohibited from carrying out activities within a radius of five kilometers from the crater/peak of Mount Semeru because they are prone to the danger of stone throwing (pijar)," he said.

He asked the public to be aware of the potential for hot clouds, lava discharge, and lahar along the river/valley streams upstream of the summit of Mount Semeru.

"Especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as the potential for lava on small rivers which are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan," said Sigit.