JAKARTA, May 17 — The Indonesian authorities have advised the public to stay away from high-risk areas around Mount Semeru after the volcano erupted several times over the weekend.
The volcano erupted three times this morning with ash columns reaching 700m above the summit.
ANTARA News Agency, citing the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), reported that Mount Semeru erupted twice within 90 minutes yesterday.
It remains under Level III (Alert) status.
The PVMBG urged the public not to carry out any activities within 13km southeast of the summit, along Besuk Kobokan, a river channel prone to lava flows and hot clouds.
Residents and visitors were also prohibited from activities within a 5km radius of the crater due to the risk of incandescent rock ejections.
