The volcano on Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java, erupted last year, killing at least 50 people and displacing thousands.
Semeros volcano has re-entered a phase of explosive activity in Indonesia, spewing an ash plume that has reached a height of 15 kilometers and led to the evacuation of nearly 2,000 people, authorities said, raising the alert level to maximum in the eastern part of the island of Java.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the Semeru volcano eruption, and Indonesia’s transport ministry said air travel had not been affected, but warnings had been sent to two regional airports to be on alert.
“Most of the roads have been closed since this morning and now volcanic ash is falling and has covered the view of the mountain,” Bayou community volunteer Denny Alfiando told Reuters by telephone from a point near the volcano.
Pyroclastic flow footage from the Semeru volcano in East Java, Indonesia. Imagine seeing that thing coming towards you. Terrifying. (footage sped up 5x) pic.twitter.com/84D4Dr6IIr
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) December 4, 2022
The volcano on Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java, erupted last year, causing at least 50 people are killed and thousands more to be displaced.
Indonesia’s disaster management agency (BNPB) said 1,979 people had been moved to 11 shelters and authorities distributed masks to residents. Volcanic activity began at 02:46 (local time, yesterday Saturday at 21:46 Greek time) and rescue, search and evacuation efforts are ongoing.
The plume of volcanic ash reached a height of 15 kilometers, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, which had initially been on alert for the possibility that the volcano’s eruption could trigger a tsunami. He later ruled out this possibility.
Mount Semeru Volcano erupts in Indonesia. pic.twitter.com/XV7q6sHRD5
— Alerta Cambio Climático (@AlertaCambio) December 4, 2022
The eruption of the volcano, which is 640 kilometers east of the capital Jakarta, follows a series of earthquakes in West Java, including one last month that killed more than 300 people.
Indonesia’s National Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Prevention (PVMBG) raised the alert level to maximum and urged residents not to come within 8 kilometers of Semeru’s crater.
Volcanic ash clouds are reaching up to 19 kilometers away from the crater, it said.
BREAKING: Indonesia’s Mount Semeru has explosively erupted, sending pyroclastic density currents — ‘avalanches’ of extremely hot gas and debris — screaming into several valleys.
Quick thread 🧵 (coming soon): pic.twitter.com/pUKNcBBdP3
— Dr Robin George Andrews 🌋 (@SquigglyVolcano) December 4, 2022
The center’s head, Hendra Ganavan, said a larger volume of magma could have formed compared to the volcano’s previous eruptions in 2021 and 2020, which could mean a higher risk for a wider area.
“Semerus clouds may reach further and to a distance where there are many residences,” he said.
In video sent to Reuters by police in the area, villagers can be seen walking away from the volcano’s slopes, some with their belongings loaded onto bicycles. A destroyed bridge is covered in volcanic ash.
With 142 volcanoes, Indonesia has the largest in the world population living within a close radius of a volcano, with 8.6 million people living within 10 km of a volcano.
The deadly earthquake that struck West Java in late November was a magnitude 5.6 but shallow. A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck at a deeper depth on Saturday, sending people out of buildings but causing no serious damage or casualties.
🚨Situasi Terkini Di Sekitar Semeru, hujan abu dan kondisi langit gelap, warga sudah mengungsi🥺
Stay Safe Buat Warga sekitar, Semoga Tidak Ada korban😭🙏
— YBBA (@BolaBolaAja) December 4, 2022
Mohon Doanya semua untuk Lumajang, Erupti Semeru is ongoing. Di rumahku, seperti mendung mau hujan. pic.twitter.com/UBaHlDLkTT
— NineInspire (@AnggraNing) December 4, 2022
RES-EMP
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