Mt. Semeru status raised to alert

Head of the Volcanic and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center ‘s (PVMBG) volcano observation unit Muhamad Hendrasto said his unit had recommended raising the status of Mount Semeru in East Java from 'normal' to 'alert' following increasing seismic activity.

The center urged that the local administration warn residents to stay outside a radius of four kilometers from the volcano.

“Early on Thursday and throughout the morning the observation station monitored the volcano’s Jongring Seloko crater spewing hot ash,” Hendrasto told reporters in Bandung, West Java, on Friday.

Previously, during the Dec. 29, 2011, - Jan. 15 period, the center recorded eight explosions coming from the crater. Ash rose 100 meters to 600 meters above the the mountain.

The center cited Rowo Baung and Supit villages in Pronojiwa district, as well as Urip, Kamar A and Umbulandi villages in Lumajang, as areas which would potentially be affected by volcanic activities.

“Rowo Baung and Supit villages, which are located 9 kilometers from the top of Semeru, are the two closest villages to the center of the volcano,” he said, adding that Besuk Bang, Kobokan and Besuk Kembar rivers could also be affected by the ash.

The center has four levels of alert status: “Normal” (Level 1), “Alert” (Level 2), “Standby” (Level 3) and “Beware” (Level 4). (swd/dic)