Mount Semeru Erupts in Indonesia: Volcanic Ash Soars Thousands of Feet
Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, one of teh country’s most active volcanoes, erupted on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024, at 8:24 PM Western Indonesia Time, sending a plume of volcanic ash approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) into the air. The eruption, while initially not visually observed, was confirmed by seismic monitoring equipment at the Mount Semeru Observation Post.
“The eruption was not observed visually. When the report was made,the eruption was still ongoing,” stated Mount Semeru Observation Post Officer Liswanto in his official report. The volcano experienced a total of twelve eruptions throughout the night, with the first three – occurring at 12:58 AM, 3:02 AM, and 4:34 AM – visibly ejecting ash columns ranging from 2,625 to 2,952 feet (800 to 900 meters) above the summit.
While the remaining nine eruptions weren’t visually confirmed, seismographs recorded amplitudes of approximately 20 mm, providing clear evidence of the volcanic activity. The duration of each eruption was also meticulously documented.
Authorities remain vigilant, with Mount Semeru currently on high alert. The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has issued strict warnings to the public. “The public should not do any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan up to eight kilometers from the summit (center of the eruption),” Liswanto cautioned. Further restrictions include a 500-metre exclusion zone from the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for lava flows and pyroclastic flows extending up to 13 kilometers from the summit.
Adding to the danger, Liswanto emphasized, “The public should also not carry out activities within a radius of three kilometers from the crater/peak of Mount Semeru because of the danger of incandescent rock ejection.” Residents and visitors are urged to remain aware of potential hazards, including hot clouds, lava avalanches, and lahars (volcanic mudflows) along rivers originating from the summit, particularly besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk sat, and their tributaries.
the eruption serves as a stark reminder of the powerful forces of nature and the importance of heeding official warnings. while the immediate impact is localized to the area surrounding Mount Semeru, the event highlights the ongoing need for robust volcano monitoring and disaster preparedness globally, including in regions with similar geological vulnerabilities within the United States.
For the latest updates, please refer to official sources such as the PVMBG and local news outlets.
