BREAKING: Mount Semeru in East Java, Indonesia, erupted violently early Tuesday morning, February 3, 2026. A substantial ash column was ejected approximately 700 meters (2,300 feet) into the sky above the towering volcano. The eruption occurred at 4:42 a.m. local time, with the ash cloud observed drifting towards the northeast. Authorities have maintained a high alert status for the volcano, emphasizing the ongoing danger to nearby communities.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) confirmed the event, reporting that the ash column reached an altitude of approximately 4,376 meters (14,357 feet) above sea level. Mukdas Sofian, an officer at the Semeru Observation Post, stated that the eruption column was observed at roughly 700 meters above the peak. Seismic data indicates a restless mountain, with seismographs recording 20 separate eruption earthquakes between midnight and 6 a.m. local time.
Mount Semeru, Indonesia’s tallest volcano, is known for its persistent activity. Located on the border of Lumajang and Malang districts in East Java, it is part of the Sunda Arc, a region with significant seismic and volcanic activity. The PVMBG has prohibited all activities within a 13-kilometer (8-mile) radius of the summit along the Besuk Kobokan sector due to the risk of lahars and pyroclastic density currents. A 500-meter (1,640-foot) buffer zone has also been established along the banks of the Besuk Kobokan river.
This latest eruption follows a series of seismic events recorded at the volcano. Earlier on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Mount Semeru experienced another eruption, producing a 500-meter ash column. The volcano’s current alert level remains at III, or Standby.
The PVMBG advises the public to remain vigilant and adhere to all safety recommendations. The risk of pyroclastic and lava flows extending significant distances from the peak remains a primary concern for disaster mitigation agencies.
Developing Story: Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Emergency Contact: For immediate assistance, please contact the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency at +62 21-7914-3505.
Social Media Verification Status: Initial reports and images circulating on social media platforms are consistent with official advisories and eyewitness accounts, indicating a developing situation.
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Meta Description: Breaking: Mount Semeru erupts in East Java, Indonesia, sending ash column high into the sky. Evacuation zones enforced as alert level remains high. Developing story.
