JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, located along the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies in East Java, erupted early Wednesday (April 1), with authorities recording 16 eruptions in six hours while maintaining the volcano at an alert status.
Mount Semeru Observation Post officer Mukdas Sofian said the eruptions were recorded between 12am and 6am local time, with durations of 92 to 164 seconds, and continued to show activity.
Additional seismic activity included shallow and deep volcanic quakes, as well as a distant tectonic earthquake, indicating ongoing movement beneath the volcano, he said, according to Antrara News Agency on Wednesday.
Mukdas said Mount Semeru remains at Level III (Alert) and residents have been prohibited from entering within 13km in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, while areas within 500m of riverbanks are also restricted due to risks of lava and pyroclastic flows reaching up to 17km.
He said the public is also barred from approaching within five kilometres of the crater due to the risk of incandescent rock ejections, he added.
Meanwhile, Mount Karangetang in North Sulawesi also showed increased activity on Wednesday morning, according to the Geological Agency.
Acting Geological Agency head Lana Saria said incandescent lava flows and rumbling sounds were observed, although lava movement, extending about 1.2km from the summit, has not shown significant escalation.
"This morning, thick white smoke was observed at the right peak, while at the left peak, thin to thick white smoke was seen accompanied by moderate rumbling sounds,” she said, according to the news agency.
She said monitoring has been intensified to assess potential risks to nearby communities.
She urged the public and tourists to remain vigilant and comply with the established safe radius recommendations, and to refrain from carrying out activities in residential areas that fall within zones prone to lava flows and hot clouds. - Bernama
