The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) recorded volcanic activity on Mount Semeru, which is located on the border between Malang and Lumajang districts of East Java, on Friday morning

The eruption occurred at 7:02 a.m. local time, with the height of the ash column reaching about 500 meters above the peak, Mount Semeru Monitoring Post officer Nur Rokhman Hidayat informed in a statement received here on Friday.

“The observed ash is gray with thick intensity leaning toward the northeast. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and lasted about 1 minute 30 seconds,” he said.

According to PVMBG, Mount Semeru is currently still on alert status or level III, with the public advised not to carry out any activity in its southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan as far as 13 kilometers from the peak, or the center of eruption.

People have also been advised against carrying out activities within a distance of 500 meters from the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan because of the potential for hot clouds and lava flows up to 17 km from the peak.

In addition, PVMBG has asked the public to refrain from carrying out activities within a five-kilometer radius of the crater or peak as it is prone to ejecting hot lava.

People have been asked to remain alert against the potential for hot clouds, lava, and lava falling along rivers or valleys that disgorge from the peak of Mount Semeru, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat.

In addition, there is also potential for lava in small rivers, which are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan.

Mount Semeru’s activity usually occurs in the Jonggring Seloko Crater, which is located southeast of Mahameru peak.

It is generally accompanied by the spewing of Vulcanian and Strombolian ash plumes three to four times every hour.

The Vulcanian type eruption is characterized by an explosion, which sometimes destroys the previously formed lava dome and tongue.

Meanwhile, eruptions of the Strombolian type are usually followed by the formation of new lava domes and tongues.

Explosive eruptions are usually followed by the appearance of hot clouds that flow into the lower valleys. The direction of the flow is in accordance with the crater openings and valleys on Mount Semeru.

The opening of Mount Semeru’s crater is currently facing southeast or toward the upstream of Besuk Kembar, Besuk Bang, and Besuk Kobokan.

Source: Antara News