What Is The Current Condition Of Mount Semeru, Which Continues To Erupt?

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The activity of Mount Semeru, which is on the border of Lumajang and Malang Regencies, East Java, which has an alert status or Level III, is still dominated by eruptions and avalanches.

Officer of the Semeru Volcano Observation Post on Mount Sawur, Yadi Yuliandi explained, based on seismic observations of Mount Semeru on December 20, 2022, at 00.00-06.00 WIB, 20 eruptions were recorded with amplitudes of 10-23 mm, and earthquake durations of 45-115 seconds.

"Two earthquakes with an amplitude of 2-4 mm, one earthquake with an amplitude of 3 mm, and one far tectonic earthquake with an amplitude of 26 mm", Yadi said in a written statement quoted by Antara.

From a visual observation, Mount Semeru is clearly visible until it is covered with 0-I fog, smoke from the crater is not observed, then the weather is clear to cloudy, and the wind is weak to the north and northeast.

Meanwhile for the observation period 20 December 2022 at 06.00-12.00 WIB, it was recorded that Mount Semeru experienced 17 eruptions with an amplitude of 10-24 mm, and an earthquake duration of 55-150 seconds, as well as one harmonic with an amplitude of 10-24 mm.

For the activity of the highest mountain on Java Island, for 24 hours on December 19, 2022, 74 eruption earthquakes were recorded, 6 avalanche earthquakes, 14 gushing earthquakes, 9 distant tectonic earthquakes, and one cold lava flood tremor was recorded.

"I urge the public to comply with the PVMBG recommendations in line with Mount Semeru's status at level III or alert", he said.

He explained that the community should not carry out any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, as far as 13 km from the peak (the eruption center).

Beyond this distance, the community is not allowed to carry out activities within 500 meters of 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.

"People are also advised not to move within a 5 km radius of the crater/top of Mount Semeru because they are prone to the danger of throwing stones (incandescent)", he said.

The community also needs to be aware of the potential for hot cloud fall (APG), lava fall, 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 rivers. -a small river which is a tributary of Besuk Kobokan.