JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities escalated the alert status for Mount Semeru, the tallest volcano on Java Island, to its highest level on Wednesday following a series of intense eruptions. The volcanic activity, which began midday and continued into the evening, produced avalanches of scorching ash clouds, molten rock, and gas, traveling up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) down its slopes. A towering column of hot ash rose 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) into the atmosphere, according to a statement from Indonesia’s Geology Agency. The eruptions blanketed nearby villages with ash, prompting authorities to raise the alert level twice within a single day. No casualties have been reported so far. Over 300 residents from three high-risk villages in Lumajang district were evacuated to government shelters, as confirmed by Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has a history of eruptions spanning over two centuries. Despite the risks, tens of thousands of people continue to inhabit its fertile slopes, a common scenario across Indonesia’s 129 active volcanoes. The nation, home to more than 270 million people, lies along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ a seismically active region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Indonesia raises alert for Mount Semeru volcano to the highest level after a series of eruptions
