Mount Semeru Erupts, Sending Hot Ash Clouds 4 Kilometres Downslope

Mount Semeru, located on the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies in East Java, erupted on Thursday evening, unleashing a hot ash cloud that travelled 4 kilometres. The eruption occurred at 16:37 WIB, with the observed column height reaching approximately 1,500 metres above the summit, or 5,176 metres above sea level. According to Liswanto, an officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post, the ash column was observed to be white to grey with moderate intensity, leaning towards the southeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a temporary duration of around 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Liswanto stated that a hot ash cloud travelled 4 km towards Besuk Kobokan and the eruption was still ongoing as the report was being compiled. Authorities have urged the public to refrain from any activities within a 5-kilometre radius of the crater or summit due to the danger of incandescent rock projectiles. Furthermore, residents are prohibited from conducting activities within 500 metres of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan, as the area is at risk of being affected by the expansion of hot ash clouds and lava flows up to a distance of 17 km from the peak. The public has also been asked to remain vigilant against the potential for hot ash clouds, lava avalanches, and lahars along the river valleys originating at the summit, particularly along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as smaller tributaries of Besuk Kobokan.