La eruption of the Semeru volcano, on the island of Java (Indonesia), has once again put the surrounding communities at risk with powerful columns of ash and a series of explosive incidents. Authorities have increased surveillance and have Alert level IV activated, the highest on its scale.
In the first hours of the operation, an order was issued 8-kilometer exclusion zone from the crater and emergency teams were deployed to villages on the southeastern slope, the area most affected by hot clouds and ashfallAt the moment, there is no official report of casualties and the advice to stay away from riverbeds and unstable slopes remains in place.
Current situation and security measures
The technicians have counted More than a dozen eruptions in 24 hoursa rhythm reminiscent of the most active volcanoes in the world, with the expulsion of ash, blocks and lava that reached up to 15,5 kilometers downhillespecially towards the southeast. The disaster agency also reported a ash column up to 13 km Tall.
The activity has been recorded on seismograms with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm and a duration of 16 minutes and 40 seconds In one of the episodes, a pattern consistent with a still very dynamic eruptive system.
Several towns woke up covered by a thick blanket of ashWhile crews cleared roads to facilitate the passage of ambulances and emergency vehicles, as a protective measure, they distributed masks and basic suppliesand the airport of Ngurah Rai (Bali) It is operating normally for now.
The Center for Volcanology insists on respecting the 8 km exclusion and take extra precautions in river valleys Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Kembar and Besuk Sat. A warning is issued risk of lahars, with long-range forward potential, and hot clouds channeled by the riverbeds; in addition, it is recommended to avoid the banks of the Besuk Kobokanespecially at less than 500 meters.
Evacuations and rescue of hikers
One of the most delicate moments was experienced with 137 hikers ascending the north face. They were blocked by the lack of visibility and ashfall and they had to take refuge in the area of Ranu Kumbolo until the teams were able to guide them safely. Everyone was evacuated without injury.
Meanwhile, Civil Protection set up temporary shelters and has evacuated nearly a thousand people of the most exposed areas. The system remains active to assist vulnerable residents and facilitate a phased return when conditions allow.
Authorities remind everyone that pyroclastic flows —mixtures of gas, ash and rock fragments at high speed—constitute the main immediate threat, which is why the 8 km cordon around the crater and the restrictions in riverbeds.
The activity of the Semeru has been extensively documented by surveillance cameras and neighborswith videos showing the spread of ash over the valleys and the imposing column that rose during the most intense phases.
Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and has hundreds of volcanoesAmong them is Semeru (3.676 m), one of the most active volcanoes in Java. Although the population is accustomed to living with the risk, episodes like the current one reactivate community protocols and strengthen coordination between volcanology and civil protection.
With the alert at its highest level and high seismicityThe focus remains on protecting nearby communities, keeping evacuation routes clear, and closely monitoring the volcano's behavior, while the perimeter of 8 km and the warnings for lahars in the rivers of the southeast slope.
