Indonesia's Semeru volcano erupts, alert level raised to highest

"The volcano has spewed ash clouds as tall as 5.6km (3.48 miles) into the sky, authorities say. Indonesia's Semeru volcano has erupted, unleashing fast-moving pyroclastic flows as the country's volcanology agency increased the alert level of Java island's tallest mountain to the highest. The volcano spewed ash clouds as tall as 5.6km (3.48 miles) into the sky, the agency said on Wednesday, adding that residents should stay a 2.5km (1.55-mile) distance away due to risks."

"The eruption began at about 4pm (09:00 GMT), according to a written report from Mukdas Sofian, an officer at Indonesia's volcanology monitoring post. Pyroclastic flows are still occurring, with the runout distance reaching seven kilometres [4.3 miles] from the summit, and the eruption was ongoing at the time this report was prepared, Sofian said. Mount Semeru, located in a densely populated region of Java, is Indonesia's highest peak at 3,676 metres (12,060 feet)."

Mount Semeru erupted in the late afternoon, sending ash clouds up to 5.6 km into the sky and producing fast-moving pyroclastic flows. The volcanology agency raised the alert to the highest level and advised residents to stay at least 2.5 km away. Pyroclastic flows reached a runout distance of about seven kilometres from the summit and the eruption was ongoing during the report. Mount Semeru is Java's highest peak at 3,676 metres and lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The volcano has erupted repeatedly over two centuries, including a deadly 2021 event that killed 62 people and buried villages. Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes, increasing monitoring because of threats to nearby communities, transport routes and aviation.

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