Volcanic activity at Mount Semeru, located on the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies, East Java, has once again shown a significant increase on Sunday (12/7/2026). Throughout the day, the active volcano recorded eight eruptions, with the highest reaching 900 meters above the peak.
Liswanto, an officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post, reported that the series of eruptions began at 05:50 WIB with an ash column height of 600 meters drifting to the southeast. The intensity of the eruptions continued periodically, peaking during the eighth eruption at 19:00 WIB, with the observed height of the eruption column reaching 4,576 meters above sea level and the ash drifting to the north.
As of this report, the status of Mount Semeru remains at Level III (Alert). The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) emphasized strict safety protocols for residents around the mountain slopes. The public is strictly forbidden from conducting any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan within a 13-kilometer radius from the eruption center.
In addition, the relevant authorities emphasized the ban on activities within a five-kilometer radius of the main crater to anticipate the threat of incandescent rock projectiles. Residents are also urged to increase vigilance against the risk of hot clouds, lava avalanches, and cold lahar flows that have the potential to sweep through riverbeds, especially along Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, Besuk Sat, and Besuk Kobokan.
