1Berita News – Mount Semeru on the border of Lumajang and Malang Regencies, East Java, erupted by spewing volcanic ash up to 400 meters above the peak on Friday (2/23).
“An eruption of Mount Semeru occurred on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 06:33 AM local time. The observed eruption column height was around 400 meters above the peak (approximately 4,076 meters above sea level),” said Mount Semeru Observation Post Officer, Liswanto, as quoted by Antara.
Liswanti stated that the observed volcanic ash column appeared white to gray with moderate intensity towards the south, and at the time of the report, the eruption was still ongoing.
On Thursday (2/22), the highest mountain eruption on Java Island occurred at 04:57 PM local time, then on Wednesday (2/21), three eruptions were recorded at 07:11 AM, 10:19 PM, and 11:55 PM.
According to data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, the number of eruptions recorded from Mount Semeru since January 1 to February 23, 2024, at 07:00 AM local time, was 63 eruptions.
The status of the mountain, which stands at 3,676 meters above sea level, is still on alert level III, so people are prohibited from engaging in any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, up to 13 km from the peak.
People are also advised not to engage in activities within 500 meters from the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan, as there is potential for pyroclastic flow expansion and lahar flow up to 17 km from the peak.
People are not allowed to engage in activities within a 5 km radius from the crater/peak of Mount Semeru due to the danger of rock projectiles.
People are also advised to be cautious of potential pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and lahars along the river/stream channels originating from Mount Semeru’s peak, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as potential lahars in small rivers that are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan.
