Eruption of the Semeru volcano in Java - four explosions and clouds of volcanic ash

The Semeru volcano in East Java, Indonesia, has made its presence felt again. There were four eruptions on Thursday, spewing clouds of volcanic ash to heights of 800 to 1,000 meters above the peak. Observers at the Semeru Volcano Observation Post reported that the first earthquake occurred at 12:15 a.m. West India Time (WIB) and the last at 8:34 a.m.

The ash clouds ranged in color from white to gray and were moving toward the south. Authorities advised residents to avoid all activity in the southeastern sector along the Besuk Kobokan River, up to 13 kilometers from the volcano's summit. Beyond this distance, residents are asked not to conduct activities within 500 meters of the Besuk Kobokan River bank, as they may be exposed to hot clouds and lahar extension up to 17 kilometers from the summit.

Additionally, the Indonesian Volcanological Service (PVMBG) has recommended that no activities be carried out within a five-kilometer radius of the Semeru volcano peak because it is vulnerable to volcanic rockfall. The public was also urged to exercise caution due to hot clouds, lava flows and lahars along rivers flowing from the top of Semeru Volcano, particularly along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar and Besuk Sat, as well as potential lahars in small rivers flowing from Besuk Kobokan .