November 22, 2025 | 01:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Geological Agency has escalated the activity status of Mount Semeru to Level IV (Danger/Awas) following a powerful eruption that occurred on Wednesday afternoon, November 19, 2025. Previously, the volcano, situated across Lumajang and Malang Regencies in East Java, was maintained at Level II (Caution/Waspada).
Based on the seismic data recorded at Mount Semeru from November 19–20, 2025, until 12:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), the following events were documented: 179 tectonic earthquakes, 7 eruption earthquakes, 4 harmonical tremors, 3 shallow volcanic earthquakes, and 6 distant tectonic earthquakes.
Muhammad Wafid, Head of the Geological Agency, confirmed that the recorded earthquakes indicate that the seismic activity of Mount Semeru remains high. Wafid advised through a written statement: "Residents are strongly advised to avoid engaging in any activities within an 8-kilometer radius from the crater or the peak of Mount Semeru due to the inherent potential hazard of rock projectiles."
The abrupt shift in the activity level of Mount Semeru often generates inquiries regarding the distinctions between volcanic status levels. To facilitate comprehension, here is a summary derived from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 15 of 2011, which formally defines the tiers of volcanic activity recognized across the country.
Classification of Volcanic Activity Levels
1. Level I (Normal)
Based on visual and/or instrumental monitoring, fluctuations may be observed, but they do not signify an escalation in activity beyond the typical behavior characteristics of each specific volcano. The risk of toxic gas emission may be present near the eruption center, depending on the volcano's inherent properties.
A total of 45 volcanoes across Indonesia are currently observed to be quiescent or at the Normal status. These include prominent volcanoes such as Mount Agung in Bali, Mount Lewotobi Perempuan in East Nusa Tenggara, Mount Tambora in West Nusa Tenggara, and Mount Gede, Mount Salak, and Mount Tangkuban Parahu in West Java.
Lava flows from the peak of Mount Sinabung seen from Tigapancur Village, Simpang Empat, Karo, North Sumatra, Thursday, February 25, 2021. ANTARA FOTO/Nova Wahyudi
2. Level II (Caution/Waspada)
Visual and/or instrumental observations begin to record preliminary indications of increased volcanic activity. Some volcanoes at this stage may erupt, but the threat is generally confined to the immediate vicinity of the eruption center, based on the characteristics of each volcano.
A total of 21 volcanoes are currently categorized at the Caution activity level. Noteworthy examples include Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, Mount Raung in East Java, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi, Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, Mount Ili Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara, and Mount Ibu in North Maluku.
Mount Raung emitting sulfur smoke seen from Kabat, Banyuwangi, East Java, June 14, 2025. Antara/Budi Candra Setya
3. Level III (Watch/Siaga)
Visual and/or instrumental monitoring clearly shows a substantive increase in activity, potentially including an eruption that poses a threat to the region immediately surrounding the eruption center. Crucially, the threat does not yet extend to the established settlements around the volcano, based on the specific characteristics of each volcano.
Presently, two volcanoes are placed at the alert Level III, namely Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara and Mount Merapi in the border region of Yogyakarta-Central Java.
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on October 13, 2025. Antara/HO-PVMBG
4. Level IV (Danger/Awas)
Visual and/or instrumental monitoring demonstrates a clear and sustained increase in activity, potentially leading to a major eruption that poses a direct threat to the settlements located around the volcano, based on the specific characteristics of each volcano.
Currently, Mount Semeru in East Java is the only volcano designated at the highest activity level.
Editor’s Choice: How Dangerous Are the Pyroclastic Flow Deposits in Mount Semeru's Valley?
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