Indonesia’s Semeru Volcano Roars Back to Life Weeks after Lethal Eruption

The Semeru volcano on Indonesia's Java island has erupted, producing a two-kilometer-high ash column and prompting authorities to issue a warning to residents not to approach the eruption range.

The eruption of Semeru, Java's tallest mountain, earlier this month blasted ash clouds and pyroclastic flows that killed at least 46 people and left many others missing, as well as displacing others.

According to Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, the early morning eruption produced dense white and grey ash clouds (PVMBG).

Due to the possibility of lava flow, the agency cautioned neighbouring inhabitants not to perform any activity within a five-kilometer radius of the eruption centre and to keep a 500-meter distance from riversides.

The PVMBG also advised residents not to do any activity within 13 kilometres of the eruption's epicentre.

With 142 volcanoes, Indonesia has the world's highest population living within 10 kilometres of a volcano, with 8.6 million people living within 10 kilometres.