Lumajang, E. Java. Mount Semeru in East Java erupted on Monday, sending an ash column 900 meters above its summit, while monitoring stations recorded 31 volcanic earthquakes over a six-hour period.

The eruption occurred at 6:19 a.m. local time, producing a thick gray ash column that drifted southwest.

Seismograph recordings showed a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters, with the eruption lasting 110 seconds, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).

Semeru observation post officer Sigit Rian Alfian said monitoring during the six-hour period recorded 25 eruption earthquakes and six rockfall earthquakes.

The eruption earthquakes had amplitudes of 12 to 25 millimeters and lasted between 87 and 242 seconds. The rockfall earthquakes recorded amplitudes of 1 to 5 millimeters and durations of 27 to 88 seconds.

Mount Semeru remains at Level III, or Alert status. No significant impacts from the volcanic activity had been reported when the monitoring report was compiled.

PVMBG urged residents to follow safety restrictions and avoid areas at risk from pyroclastic flows and lava flows.

Activities are prohibited in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan within eight kilometers of the summit. Residents are also advised to stay at least 500 meters from riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan, as pyroclastic flows and lava flows could travel up to 13 kilometers from the summit.

Add as a preferred source on Google +