Mount Semeru, located on the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies in East Java, continues to show fluctuating but elevated volcanic activity. Based on visual and instrumental observations, the activity of the 3,676-meter-high volcano above sea level (asl) remains dominated by eruption earthquakes, with its status holding at Level III (Alert).
Liswanto, an officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post, reported that during the observation period from early Thursday (16/7/2026) morning until noon, specifically from 00:00 to 06:00 WIB, the tallest volcano on Java Island experienced 15 eruption earthquakes. These earthquakes were recorded with amplitudes ranging from 13 to 22 mm and vibration durations between 71 and 158 seconds. Additionally, five avalanche earthquakes, three gust earthquakes, one harmonic earthquake, and two distant tectonic earthquakes were recorded.
This volcanic activity continues the high intensity seen the previous day. Throughout Wednesday, the observation post recorded 66 eruption earthquakes, one pyroclastic flow with an amplitude of 22 mm lasting 187 seconds, dozens of avalanche earthquakes, and periodic emissions of crater smoke.
Visually, from early Thursday morning to midday, the active volcano was observed emitting volcanic ash seven times, with eruption column heights ranging from 700 to 1,100 meters above the crater peak.
In response to these conditions, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) issued several safety recommendations for both local residents and tourists. People are strictly forbidden from conducting any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, up to a radius of 13 kilometers from the active peak.
Beyond that safe distance, residents are also advised not to engage in activities within 500 meters of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for pyroclastic flows and cold lahar flows that could extend up to a radius of 17 kilometers. Furthermore, a exclusion zone radius of 5 kilometers from the active crater has been established to avoid the danger of ejected incandescent rock materials.
