Mount Semeru Erupts

Mount Semeru has experienced eruptions or eruptions dozens of times since its status was upgraded from 'Alert' to 'Caution' or from Level III to Level IV by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), Sunday (04/12).

On Monday (05/12), the Semeru Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) officer, Mukdas Sofian, said that there had been nearly 30 eruptions during the observation period at 00.00-06.00 WIB.

More than 2,000 residents fled following the eruption of Mount Semeru in East Java, Sunday (04/12/2022), which sent hot clouds and lava into the surrounding areas.

"With an increase in volcanic activity, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the status of Mount Semeru from 'Alert' to 'Caution' or from Level III to Level IV, as of 12.00 WIB today," said a spokesman for the Agency. National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Abdul Muhari, in a statement to journalists.

PVMBG asked the public not to carry out any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, 13 kilometers from the eruption center.

Outside of this distance, the community is expected not to carry out activities at a distance of 500 meters from the riverbank (river border) along Besuk Kobokan because it has the potential to be affected by expansion of hot clouds and lava flows up to a distance of 17 kilometers from the summit.

The public was also asked not to move within a five-kilometer radius from the crater or peak of Semeru because they are prone to the danger of throwing stones (incandescent).

In addition, the public is expected to be aware of hot cloud avalanches, lava flows, and lava along rivers or valleys that disgorge at the peak of Mount Semeru, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat as well as the potential for lava in the rivers. a small river which is a tributary of Besuk Kobokan. Exactly a year ago, Mount Semeru also erupted killing more than 50 people while thousands of houses were damaged.