Indonesia's Semeru, Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcanoes Erupt Repeatedly On Same Day

JAKARTA, June 28 (Bernama) -- Two of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, Mount Semeru in East Java and Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara, erupted repeatedly on Sunday, spewing ash as high as one kilometre above their summits.

According to Indonesia's Geological Agency, Mount Semeru erupted five times throughout the day, with the latest eruption occurring at 12.16 pm local time and producing an ash column of about 1,000 metres above its summit.

Volcano observer Mukdas Sofian, in his report published on the agency’s website, said the ash column was observed to be white to grey with thick intensity drifting to the southwest, while the eruption lasted about 130 seconds.

He said the volcano also erupted at 5.35 am, 6.32 am, 9.11 am, and 11.37am. Observed ash columns ranged from 500 to 1,000 metres above the summit, except for two of the eruptions when no ash columns were visible.

Meanwhile, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted six times, with the largest observed eruption at 10.16 am local time, spewing ash about 900 metres above its summit.

Volcano observer Bramantya Aji Putra Mahendra said the ash column was grey with thick intensity drifting to the north and northeast, while the eruption lasted about 149 seconds.

He said Lewotobi Laki-laki also erupted at 12.10 am, 4.39 am, 9.42 am, 10.33 am, and 1.40 pm. Observed ash columns ranged from 300 to 500 metres above the summit, except for two of the eruptions when ash columns were not visible due to weather conditions.

-- BERNAMA