Mount Semeru, located in East Java, has once again shown an increase in volcanic activity by launching an ash column 800 meters above its peak on Tuesday (7/14/2026) afternoon at 17:03 WIB. This eruption adds to the long record of Semeru's volcanic activity, which has erupted 18 times in the past week.
According to a release from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia system, the ash column was observed to be white to gray with a thick intensity drifting to the east. Technically, the eruption was recorded on a seismograph instrument with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 157 seconds.
To date, Mount Semeru's activity status remains at Level III (Alert). Daily reports indicate that on the same day, specifically between 06:00 and 12:00 WIB, there were 14 eruption earthquakes, 7 rockfall earthquakes, and 4 gust earthquakes, indicating high magma movement within the mountain body.
In anticipation of potential hazards, PVMBG issued a strict recommendation for the public to clear the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan up to a 13-kilometer radius from the peak. Furthermore, residents are prohibited from conducting activities within 500 meters of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan to avoid the threat of expanding pyroclastic flows and cold lava flows that could potentially extend up to 17 kilometers.
So far in 2026, Indonesia has recorded a total of 3,177 volcanic eruptions nationwide. Out of this total, Mount Semeru ranks at the top as the most active volcano in the country, accounting for 1,403 eruption events.
