Semeru Erupts, Spewing Ash 700 Metres Above Summit

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted on Thursday morning, with the height of the ash column reaching approximately 700 metres above the summit. The eruption occurred at 06:31 WIB, with a thick, white-to-grey ash column drifting northeast. The event was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of 130 seconds. During the six hours from midnight to 06:00 WIB, the volcano recorded 24 eruption earthquakes with amplitudes between 11-22 mm and durations of 94-174 seconds, along with three avalanche earthquakes and two distant tectonic earthquakes. Authorities have prohibited all activities within a five-kilometre radius of the crater due to the danger of incandescent rock ejections. The public is also asked 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. Vigilance is advised for potential lahars along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as smaller tributaries of Besuk Kobokan.