• Mount Semeru erupted three times on Sunday morning, with ash columns reaching 500 meters.
• Authorities warned of potential lava flows and urged residents to avoid hazard zones.
• A subsequent nighttime eruption on April 6, 2025, heightened vigilance in East Java.

Mount Semeru’s Increased Volcanic Activity: Impacts and Responses

Mount Semeru, the highest volcano in East Java, has exhibited heightened volcanic activity with three eruptions recorded on Sunday morning, April 6, 2025. The first eruption occurred at 6:15 AM local time, ejecting volcanic ash approximately 500 meters above the summit. Two subsequent eruptions followed, dispersing ash westward and triggering early warning alerts for nearby communities.

That night, another eruption sent a dense gray ash column 500 meters high, accompanied by pyroclastic flows. According to the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG), this marked the most intense activity since the fatal eruption in 2021.

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Impact on Surrounding Areas

Daily life in Lumajang and Malang regencies was disrupted. Ashfall blanketed villages within a 12-kilometer radius, significantly reducing visibility and posing respiratory hazards. Over 1,500 residents were evacuated as a precaution, and farmers reported damage to crops due to acidic ash deposits.

Authorities closed access to a 5-kilometer radius around the crater, including popular hiking trails. “The priority is public safety. We urge people to comply with exclusion zones,” stated a PVMBG spokesperson.

Response and Mitigation Efforts

Local disaster management teams distributed face masks and established temporary shelters for displaced families. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in coordination with the military, closely monitored volcanic material flows along the Kobokan River, a known path for lava and pyroclastic flows.

Drones and seismic sensors were deployed to track real-time activity. “Early warning systems have improved since 2021, allowing faster evacuations,” explained a BNPB official.

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Future Preparedness

Experts stress the importance of long-term preparedness, including the reinforcement of evacuation routes and regular community drills. The 2025 eruptions reaffirm Mount Semeru’s unpredictable nature as one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.

“Education is key. Villagers must recognize early signs like tremors and gas emissions,” said a geologist from Gadjah Mada University.

#zonaebt #EBTHeroes #Sebarterbarukan

Editor : Alfidah Dara Mukti

References

1. Gunung Semeru Alami 3 Kali Erupsi Minggu Pagi
2. Gunung Semeru Kembali Erupsi Malam Ini (Minggu, 6 April 2025)