Mount Semeru showed significant volcanic activity again on Monday early morning, July 13, 2026. According to a report from the Semeru Volcano Observatory (PGA), the eruption that occurred at 00:49 WIB spewed an ash column 1.2 kilometers high above the crater peak. The volcanic ash was observed to be white to gray with moderate intensity, moving southwest.
Following the main eruption, seismic activity on Java's highest mountain remained high. Officials recorded dozens of follow-up eruptions within a short period. Seismic data collected between 00:00 and 06:00 WIB showed a dominance of 33 eruption earthquakes, followed by rockfall, harmonic, and gust earthquakes, indicating that the volcano's internal condition remains highly active.
Acting Chief of the Lumajang Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Isnugroho, emphasized that Mount Semeru's status currently remains at Level III or Alert (Siaga). The public is advised to stay vigilant, as the threat of pyroclastic flows, lava, and rain-triggered lahar floods still looms over the areas surrounding the slopes.
Regarding public safety, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has issued strict recommendations for danger zones. All parties are strictly prohibited from conducting activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan within a 13-kilometer radius from the eruption center. In addition, residents are urged to stay 500 meters away from riverbanks up to a radius of 17 kilometers, and refrain from activities within a 5-kilometer radius of the crater peak due to the risk of dangerous glowing rock ejecta.
