Indonesia’s highest peak on Java island, Mount Semeru, erupted on Wednesday, covering several villages with ash, leading to evacuations, and prompting authorities to raise the alert to the highest level. The volcano in East Java province emitted hot ash, rocks, lava, and gas, with searing clouds traveling up to seven kilometers down its slopes multiple times from midday to dusk. Indonesia’s Geology Agency reported that a dense column of hot clouds rose two kilometers into the air.
The eruptions on Wednesday forced officials to escalate the volcano’s alert level twice, reaching the highest level from the third-highest, with no casualties reported. Over 300 residents in the most at-risk villages in Lumajang were evacuated to government shelters, according to Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
Due to increased volcanic activity, the danger zone was extended to eight kilometers from the crater on Wednesday afternoon. People were advised to steer clear of an area along the Besuk Kobokan River, which was in the path of the lava flow as scorching gas descended down Semeru’s slopes.
Videos circulating on social media showed a thick cloud of ash moving through a forested valley towards a river under a bridge. Residents, some covered in volcanic dust and rain, sought refuge in temporary shelters or moved to safer locations. Reports from local media indicated that approximately 178 individuals, including climbers, porters, guides, and tourism officials, were stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo monitoring post on the 3,676-meter mountain.
Endrip Wahyutama, a spokesperson for the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, confirmed the group’s safety at the monitoring post, located 4.5 kilometers from the crater on the north slope of the mountain. The individuals were forced to spend the night there due to inclement weather and rain.
Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has a history of eruptions over the past two centuries. Despite this, many people reside on its fertile slopes, as is the case with numerous active volcanoes in Indonesia. The volcano’s last significant eruption occurred in December 2021, resulting in casualties and evacuations. Indonesia, with its population of over 280 million people, is situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to seismic and volcanic events.
