Mount Semeru erupts three times, spews ash up to 1,000 metres

Mount Semeru in East Java experienced three volcanic eruptions this morning, according to Indonesian authorities. The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre (PVMBG) reported that the ash plumes reached up to 1,000 metres above the mountain's peak. The tallest ash column was observed during an eruption at 6:28am local time, measuring approximately 4,676 metres above sea level. Following this, two earlier eruptions occurred at 4:20am and 5:53am, with ash columns of about 500 metres and 800 metres, respectively.

In other parts of Indonesia, Mount Ibu in North Maluku erupted at 12:39am, releasing a thick grey ash column around 200 metres high that spread eastwards. PVMBG estimated this eruption lasted for 53 seconds. Similarly, Mount Ili Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara erupted at 4:30am, sending an ash column about 200 metres into the air. PVMBG noted that this eruption lasted for 34 seconds, and the white ash column was observed moving northwest.