The Semeru volcano, on the Indonesian island of Java, was placed on high alert by authorities on Sunday after an eruption, a year after a deadly disaster. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Prevention (PVMBG) has raised the alert level for Mount Semeru from level three to level four, its spokesperson, Hendra Gunawan, told Kompas TV.
“This means that the danger threatens populated areas and the activity of the volcano has intensified,” he added.
An ash cloud 1.5 km high
Located in the east of the island of Java, of which it is the highest point with an altitude of 3,676 meters, Mount Semeru spewed out an ash cloud about 1.5 km high on Sunday. No casualties were reported immediately after the eruption, but Hendra Gunawan advised nearby residents to stay at least 8 km from the crater.
The volcano’s last eruption, exactly one year ago, killed at least 51 people. Mudslides and ash engulfed entire villages and nearly 10,000 people had to flee their homes.
Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the meeting of continental plates causes strong volcanic and seismic activity. The Southeast Asian archipelago has about 130 active volcanoes.
Source: BFM TV
