Mount Semeru eruption: Volcanic ash soars to 54,000ft as red flight warning issued

4 days ago 4

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The volcano in Indonesia has started erupting, triggering huge travel warnings.

12:57, Wed, Nov 19, 2025 Updated: 14:03, Wed, Nov 19, 2025

INDONESIA-VOLCANO

Mount Semeru in Indonesia has started to erupt (Image: Badan Geologi via AP)

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Mount Semeru's eruption in Indonesia has triggered major flight warnings, with ash from the volcano rising to as high as 54,000ft. Dramatic images show plumes of of thick grey ash billowing high into the sky.

The Australia Volcanic Ash Advisory has issued a red aviation warning with the public prohibited from engaging in activities within 500 meters of the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan.

It is believed to have erupted three times, with the first occuring at 4.10am (WIT). The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 142 seconds.

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2 hours ago12:57 Lauran O'Toole

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2 hours ago12:23 Lauran O'Toole

Plumes of ash fill the sky

Dramatic footage shows plumes of ash filling the sky.

The massive eruption of Mount Semeru began today, sending an ash plume rising as high as 54,000 feet (16,500 meters).

\ud83d\udccdEast Java, Indonesia. pic.twitter.com/wASmZ75mNY

\u2014 Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) November 19, 2025

3 hours ago11:57 Lauran O'Toole

Pyroclastic flow is still ongoing

“The pyroclastic flow is still ongoing, with a maximum amplitude of 40mm", warns the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

3 hours ago11:41 Lauran O'Toole

Foreign Office issues travel advice

Brits are advised by the Foreign Office against all travel to:

Within 5 km of the crater of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java The south-east area of Mount Semeru along the Besuk Kobokan river, approximately 13km from the crater, and 500m from any Besuk Kobokan riverbank

Gunung Semeru kembali menunjukkan aktivitas vulkanik tinggi. Gunung tertinggi di Jawa itu erupsi dengan meluncurkan awan panas guguran sejauh 5,5 kilometer hingga ke arah kawasan Besuk Kobokan, Rabu (19/11/2025).

Erupsi juga terekam alat seismograf Pos Pengamatan Gunung Semeru\u2026 pic.twitter.com/1Zh8HHqXvZ

\u2014 Jawa Pos (@jawapos) November 19, 2025

3 hours ago11:30 Lauran O'Toole

Public issued stark warning by an officer

“We urge the public to avoid activities within a three-kilometer radius of the crater or summit of Mount Semeru, due to the risk of ejected incandescent rocks,” said Mukdas Sofian, an officer at the Mount Semeru Observation Post.

4 hours ago11:12 Lauran O'Toole

Public warned of potential lava avalanches

The public is being warned to be aware of the potential for pyroclastic flows and lava avalanches.

4 hours ago11:03 Lauran O'Toole

Horror video shows residents fleeing the area

A video shows residents scrambling to flee the area.

The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has evacuated residents who had been affected by the eruption.

4 hours ago11:01 Lauran O'Toole

What times were the eruptions?

The first eruption occured at 4:10am (WIB), with an observed plume height of approximately 500 meters above the summit, or 4,176 meters above sea level.

The second eruption occured just an hour later at 5:09am with an observed plume height of approximately 600 meters above the summit.

At 6:05am Mount Semeru erupted for a third time with an observed eruption column height of approximately 600 meters above the summit, or 4,276 meters above sea level.

4 hours ago10:54 Lauran O'Toole