Khaberni - Semeru Mountain in East Java, Indonesia erupted six times this morning, Wednesday, releasing columns of smoke and volcanic ash ranging in height from 700 to 900 meters above the summit, according to local authorities.
The Indonesian news agency "Antara" reported that the first eruption was recorded at 12:26 AM, with an eruption column approximately 700 meters high above the summit, followed by consecutive eruptions.
Sigit Riyanto Alfian, an official at the Semeru Mountain Observatory, stated in an official report that the strongest eruptions occurred at 6:46 AM, with ash columns reaching about 900 meters above the summit, white to gray in color and of high density, moving towards the north and northeast.
Alfian added that the eruption was recorded on seismic devices with a maximum amplitude of 16 millimeters and lasted for 120 seconds, while no direct visual sightings were recorded of the 9:37 AM eruption, although it was seismically registered with a magnitude of 22 millimeters and lasted for 105 seconds.
The authorities explained that Mount Semeru, which is 3676 meters above sea level, is still at a third level of alert, prompting the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to issue urgent warnings to residents.
The recommendations emphasized the prohibition of any human activities in the southeastern sector, especially along the Besuk Kobokan River, within a 13-kilometer radius of the summit, with a ban on approaching within 500 meters of the river banks due to the potential extension of volcanic and lava flows up to 17 kilometers.
The authorities have also urged residents not to approach within a five-kilometer radius of the volcano's crater as a precaution against the fall of glowing rocks and to watch out for the possibility of volcanic and flood flows in the valleys and rivers descending from the summit, especially in the areas of Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat. The relevant authorities emphasized that they continue to closely monitor volcanic activity, calling on residents to fully comply with instructions to ensure their safety.
