Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Afternoon, Unleashing 4 km Pyroclastic Flow

Mount Semeru, located on the border of Lumajang and Malang Regencies, East Java, experienced an eruption this afternoon. The eruption was accompanied by the launch of hot clouds extending 4 kilometres.

“An eruption of Mount Semeru occurred at 16:37 WIB, with the eruption column observed at approximately 1,500 metres above the peak or 5,17iente6 metres above sea level,” said Liswanto, an officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post, as reported by Antara on Thursday (2/7/2026).

He stated that the ash column was observed to be white to grey in colour with moderate intensity, drifting towards the southeast. The eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of approximately 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

“During the eruption, hot clouds occurred with a launch distance of 4 km towards Besuk Kobokan, and the eruption was still ongoing at the time the report was being prepared,” he added.

Currently, the volcanic activity of Mount Semeru is at Level III, or Alert status. The public is advised not to engage in any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, within 13 km of the peak (the centre of the eruption).

“Outside of that distance, the public must also refrain from activities within 500 metres of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan, due to the potential for expanding hot clouds and lava flows up to 17 km from the peak,” he said.

Furthermore, the public is prohibited from any activities within a 5 km radius of the crater or the peak of Mount Semeru due to the danger of volcanic rock fragments (pyroclastic material). Residents are urged to remain vigilant regarding the potential for hot clouds, lava flows, and lahars along the rivers and valleys originating from the peak of Mount Semeru.

“Particularly 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,” he concluded.