Mount Semeru Erupts Again, Accompanied by Loud Explosions

Mount Semeru in East Java, which stands at an altitude of 3,676 metres above sea level, has erupted. This latest eruption was accompanied by the sound of loud explosions.

“An eruption of Mount Semeru occurred at 22:18 WIB. The visual aspect of the eruption was not observed,” stated Agastya Rajendra, an officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post, in a written report received in Lumajang, East Java.

Agastya noted that the eruption was recorded on the seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 25 mm and a duration of 128 seconds. He added that the eruption of Mount Semeru was accompanied by the sound of booms and rumbles.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Lumajang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Isnugroho, confirmed the rumbling and explosive sounds accompanying the eruption of Mount Semalu. “Alhamdulillah, there have been no impacts resulting from the loud noises,” he said.

He explained that the current volcanic activity of Mount Semeru is at Level III, or ‘Siaga’ (Alert). Recommendations have been issued for the public to refrain from any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, within a 13 km radius of the summit (the centre of the eruption).

Outside of that distance, the public is also prohibited from conducting activities within 500 metres of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan, due to the potential for expanding pyroclastic clouds and lava flows up to 17 km from the summit.

Furthermore, the public must not engage in any activities within a 5 km radius of the crater/summit of Mount Semeru due to the danger of volcanic rock fragments (incandescent debris).

Residents are also urged to remain vigilant regarding the potential for pyroclastic clouds, lava flows, and lahars along the rivers and valleys originating from the summit of Mount Semeru. This is particularly critical along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as the potential for lahars in small rivers that are tributaries to Besuk Kobokan.