Qaplo (East Java) – Mount Semeru, located on the border between Lumajang and Malang Regencies in East Java, experienced another eruption on Sunday morning. The eruption of the highest volcano on Java Island was recorded reaching approximately 1,000 meters above the summit. The officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post, Sigit Rian Alfian, explained that the eruption occurred at 08:16 AM Western Indonesia Time (WIB). The eruption column was observed rising to around 4,676 meters above sea level. “The ash column was observed to be white to gray with fairly thick intensity, drifting toward the north and northwest,” he said in an official report received in Lumajang on Sunday. The volcanic activity was also recorded by a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and an eruption duration of 114 seconds. Prior to this eruption, Mount Semeru had also erupted at 07:43 AM. However, at that time, the height of the eruption column could not be observed because the summit area was covered by thick fog. Nevertheless, volcanic earthquake activity was still recorded with a maximum amplitude of 21 mm and lasted for 106 seconds. Currently, Mount Semeru remains at Level III status, or “Alert.” The public is advised not to carry out any activities in the southeastern sector, especially along the Besuk Kobokan drainage area up to a radius of 13 kilometers from the eruption center. In addition, residents are urged to avoid areas within 500 meters of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan. This area is considered potentially affected by pyroclastic flows and lahar floods, which can reach up to 17 kilometers from the summit. Furthermore, activities within a 5-kilometer radius of Semeru’s crater are prohibited due to the risk of being hit by ejected incandescent material. Volcano monitoring officers also reminded residents to increase vigilance against potential pyroclastic flows, lava avalanches, and lahar flows that may occur in several rivers and valleys originating from Mount Semeru. Several areas that require special attention include Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as tributaries connected to the Besuk Kobokan river system.
