JAKARTA, April 13 — Indonesia’s Mount Semeru located on the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies in East Java, erupted multiple times on Monday, sending ash columns up to 1,000 metres above its summit.
Mount Semeru Observation Post officer Sigit Rian Alfian said the volcano recorded six eruptions from early morning with latest eruption occurred at 9.23am local time.
“The observed height of the eruption column at around 1,000 metres above the summit or 4,676 metres above sea level, and the ash column was white to grey with thick intensity drifting towards the west and northwest,” he said according to ANTARA News Agency, on Monday.
Sigit said earlier eruptions were recorded at 5.45am, 7.36am, 7.52am, 8.17am and 8.53am with column heights ranging between 500 metres and one kilometre above the summit.
Mount Semeru, the highest peak on Java Island, remains at Level III (Alert) status, prompting Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) to impose restrictions on public activity.
Heightened activity was also recorded on Saturday with 11 eruption recorded and ash columns ranging from 600 metres to 1,500 metres above the summit.
Sigit said authorities have prohibited any activities within 13 kilometres southeast of the summit along Besuk Kobokan, a key drainage channel, and within 500 metres of riverbanks in the area due to the risk of pyroclastic flows and lahar that could extend up to 17 kilometres.
He said residents are also barred from entering a five-kilometre radius of the crater due to the danger of volcanic material being ejected.
Officials have urged communities to remain vigilant for hazards including hot clouds, lava avalanches and lahar flows along rivers originating from the volcano, particularly in Besuk Kobokan and its tributaries, he added.
