Mount Semeru, the tallest peak on Java island in Indonesia, erupted on Wednesday, spewing ash over several villages, leading to evacuations, and causing authorities to raise the alert level to the maximum. The volcano in East Java province released hot ash, rocks, lava, and gas, with searing clouds traveling up to seven kilometers down its slopes multiple times during the day. Indonesia’s Geology Agency reported a thick column of hot clouds rising two kilometers into the sky.
The eruptions prompted authorities to escalate the volcano’s alert level twice on Wednesday, from the third-highest to the highest level. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. Over 300 residents from three high-risk villages in the Lumajang district were evacuated to government shelters by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
Due to increased volcanic activity, the danger zone around Mount Semeru was extended to eight kilometers from the crater. People were urged to stay away from an area along the Besuk Kobokan River, where lava flow was observed. Social media videos captured ash clouds moving through a forested valley towards a river, as residents fled to safe locations.
Reports indicate that approximately 178 individuals, including climbers, porters, guides, and tourism officials, are stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo monitoring post on the mountain. Authorities are facing challenges in rescuing them due to bad weather conditions. The group is safe at the monitoring post, located 4.5 kilometers from the crater on the northern slope, away from the path of the hot cloud flow.
Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has a history of eruptions over the past two centuries. In December 2021, a major eruption resulted in casualties and forced evacuations. Indonesia, with its numerous active volcanoes, remains susceptible to seismic activities due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
