LUMAJANG, Jan 29 — Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, located on the border of Lumajang and Malang districts in East Java, erupted this morning, spewing an ash column 700 meters above its summit, the ANTARA news agency reported.
"Mount Semeru erupted on Thursday at 7.20am (local time). The observed eruption column reached approximately 700 meters above the summit, or 4,376 metres above sea level," reported Mount Semeru Observation Post officer Mukdas Sofian.
He added that the thick ash column appeared white to grey and was moving southeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22mm and a duration of 115 seconds.
This followed an earlier eruption at 4.47am local time, which produced a 500-meter ash column and lasted 123 seconds with a 20mm amplitude.
Mount Semeru remains at Alert Level III. Consequently, the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre (PVMBG) has prohibited all activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, within 13km of the summit.
Additionally, the public is advised to stay at least 500m away from the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan due to the risk of pyroclastic and lava flows extending up to 17km from the peak.
"The public is also prohibited from engaging in activities within a 5km radius of the crater/peak of Mount Semeru due to the risk of ejected rocks," Mukdas said.
Moreover, the public is urged to remain alert to the risks of pyroclastic flows and lava flows along rivers and valleys originating from the summit of Mount Semeru, particularly Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as the possibility of lahars in smaller rivers that feed into Besuk Kobokan.
