On Wednesday, Semeru Volcano in Indonesia was upgraded to level 3 alert (out of a maximum 4). During the period 15-19 May there were 432 explosion earthquakes and 6 pyroclastic flows at the volcano. On 20th May there were 92 eruption earthquakes. Eruption of ash continued for periods of 20-30 minutes at a time and reached 400 m above the summit. During the night, ash emissions were accompanied by glowing lava. Some villages are under threat from eruptions, lahars and pyroclastic flows. A 4 km exclusion zone has been placed around the southeast slope of the active crater due to the risk of pyroclastic flows. Volcanic material is building around the crater, and this could mobilise after heavy rain, causing lahars. Evacuations have not been ordered at this stage.
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About John Seach
- John Seach
- John Seach is a scientist and the world's leading volcano adventurer. Over the past 24 years John has traveled to the world's most exciting volcanoes, and witnessed eruptions during trips to more than 200 volcanoes. John's work has been featured on award winning television programmes. John is the founder of "Volcano Live", the world's first volcano news and volcano travel website.