Indonesia Raises Alert to Maximum for Violent Eruption of Java’s Largest Volcano

Indonesian authorities elevated the alert level of Mount Semeru, on the island of Java, to the highest level on Wednesday after a series of powerful eruptions generated pyroclastic flows and ash columns, forcing the exclusion zones to be extended. No victims have been reported so far, but several villages were covered by a dense layer of volcanic ash. According to Indonesia’s Geological Agency, Semeru – the tallest volcano in Java, standing at over 3600 meters – emitted hot clouds of ash and a mix of rocks, lava, and gases that descended up to 7 kilometers down its slopes. Throughout the day, the eruptive column reached two kilometers in height, although authorities later reported that new observations indicated emissions exceeding 5.6 kilometers amid meteorological conditions that hindered visibility.