Mount Semeru Erupts Eight Times, Ash Column Reaches 900 Metres

Mount Semeru, located on the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies in East Java, erupted eight times on Sunday, with the highest eruption column observed at 900 metres above the summit. The first eruption occurred at 05.50 Western Indonesian Time (WIB), with an ash column reaching approximately 600 metres above the peak, drifting southeast. Subsequent eruptions were recorded at 06.23, 09.24, 12.55, 15.51, 16.39, and 18.29 WIB, with the eighth and final eruption taking place at 19.00 WIB. Liswanto, an officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post, reported that the 19.00 WIB eruption produced an ash column reaching 900 metres above the summit, or 4,576 metres above sea level, with ash drifting northwards. The eruption was still ongoing at the time of the report. Authorities have prohibited all activities within a five-kilometre radius of the crater due to the danger of incandescent rock projectiles. Residents are also warned to avoid activities within 500 metres of riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan, as there is a potential for hot cloud expansion and lava flows extending up to 17 kilometres from the summit. The public is urged to remain vigilant against potential hot clouds, lava avalanches, and lahars along river valleys originating from the peak, particularly along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as smaller tributaries of Besuk Kobokan.