Indonesia’s Mount Semeru Erupts Seven Times, Mount Dukono Shows Increased Activity

JAKARTA, April 6 (Bernama) -- Mount Semeru in East Java erupted seven times on Monday morning, with ash columns rising between 300 metres and 1,100 metres above the summit.

The first eruption was recorded at 12.38 am local time with ash column spewing about 1,000 metres, while the highest eruption occurred at 6.51am, sending ash up to 1,100 metres above the summit.

The seventh eruption happened at 9.29 am with no visual plume observed,  ANTARA news agency reported Mount Semeru Observation Post officer Liswanto as saying.

The volcano currently remains at Level III (Alert) status. 

Meanwhile, Mount Dukono in North Halmahera also erupted on Monday morning, ejecting volcanic ash up to 1,000 metres above its summit.

Dukono Volcano Observation Post officer Bambang Sugiono said the volcano’s activity has been increasing since March 30, after nearly seven months of relative inactivity.

The latest eruption lasted 49.69 seconds, with the ash plume observed to be white to grey with thick intensity drifting westward.

He said Mount Dukono, which stands at 1,087 metres above sea level, is currently at Level II (Alert) status.

Authorities have advised residents and visitors not to approach Malupang Warirang Crater within a four-kilometre radius.

They also warned that ashfall areas may vary depending on wind direction and speed, and urged nearby communities to wear masks to protect against respiratory hazards from volcanic ash.

-- BERNAMA