Semeru Volcano Erupts This Evening, Residents Urged to Exercise Caution

Semeru Volcano erupted with a pyroclastic flow of hot ash on Friday night (22 May). ‘An eruption of Semeru occurred at 18:40 WIB, but the height of the ash column was not observed due to fog,’ said Yadi Yuliandi, an officer at the Semeru Observation Post, in a written report received in Lumajang. According to him, the eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of about 5 minutes 15 seconds. ‘The eruption was accompanied by a pyroclastic flow with the run-out distance unknown because the mountain’s visibility near the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies was obscured by fog,’ he said. Based on staff data, the mountain, which stands at 3,676 metres above sea level, has recorded six eruptions from 06:44 WIB to 18:40 WIB. Yadi explained that currently volcanic activity at Semeru is at Status Level III (Alert) with a recommendation for people not to engage in any activity in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, up to 13 km from the summit (eruption centre). ‘Beyond that distance, people should not conduct activities within 500 metres of the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan because there is a potential for the expansion of hot clouds and lava flow up to 17 km from the summit,’ he said. He stated that people should not undertake activities within a 5 km radius of the crater/summit due to danger from ejected rocks (pijar). ‘There is also a need to be wary of the potential hot clouds, lava fountaining, and lahar along river valleys that originate from the summit of Semeru, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as potential lahar in small rivers that are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan,’ he added.