Mount Semeru erupts repeatedly, ash plumes rise up to one kilometre

Mount Semeru, Java’s tallest volcano, erupted continuously on Monday evening, producing five distinct ash emissions between 18:30 and 20:08 WIB. The ash columns varied from white to gray, rose between 600 and 1,000 metres, and moved toward the southwest and west. Officials at the Mount Semeru Observation Post rated the eruption Level III (Watch) and advised the public to avoid outdoor activities within a 13-km zone southeast of the summit and within 500 m of nearby riverbanks due to the risk of expanding pyroclastic and lahar flows that could travel up to 17 km.

A 5-km exclusion zone around the crater was also imposed because of falling incandescent rocks. Authorities emphasized vigilance for lava avalanches and lahars along the Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar and Besuk Sat valleys.