Indonesia's Mount Semeru erupts five times, ash reaches 1,000 meters high

Mount Semeru, an active volcano on Indonesia's East Java, erupted five times on Wednesday, projecting volcanic ash up to 1,000 meters above its summit. According to state media, the strongest eruption occurred in the early morning, with ash plumes drifting northeast and posing risks to nearby communities.

Series of Eruptions Recorded

The first eruption took place shortly after midnight local time, producing an ash column approximately 600 meters high. The most significant event was recorded at 5:36 a.m., with ash reaching 1,000 meters above the peak. Seismic activity continued into the morning, with the final eruption detected at 8:06 a.m., lasting over two minutes according to monitoring equipment.

Authorities Issue Safety Warnings

Local volcanic observation posts advised residents to avoid activities within 500 meters of the Besuk Kobokan riverbank. Officials warned that hot clouds and lava flows from Semeru could travel as far as 17 kilometers from the crater, posing significant danger to villages in the volcano’s path.

Indonesia’s Volcanic Activity

Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and is home to more than 120 active volcanoes. Mount Semeru, one of the country's most active, has experienced repeated eruptions in recent years, leading to periodic evacuations and disruptions in surrounding regions.