Semeru

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Semeru
(Javanese: ꦱꦼꦩꦺꦫꦸ, romanized: sěmèru)
Mount Semeru.jpg
Highest point
Elevation 3,676 m (12,060 ft) [1]
Prominence 3,676 m (12,060 ft)
Isolation 390.92 km (242.91 mi)
Listing Island high point 12th
Ultra
Ribu
Coordinates 08°06′28″S112°55′19″E / 8.10778°S 112.92194°E / -8.10778; 112.92194
Geography
Indonesia Java relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Semeru
Java, Indonesia
Indonesia relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Semeru
Semeru (Indonesia)
Headwaters of river basinsMujur, Rejali, Glidik & Brantas basin
Geology
Mountain type Stratovolcano
Volcanic zone Ring of Fire
Volcanic arc Sunda Arc
Last eruption Ongoing [2]
Climbing
First ascent Unknown
Easiest route Hike

Semeru is the highest mountain on the Indonesian island of Java and an active volcano located in East Java province in a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australian Plate subducts under the Eurasian Plate. [3]

Contents

The name "Semeru" is derived from Meru, the central world mountain in Hinduism, or Sumeru, the abode of gods. This stratovolcano is Mahameru, meaning "The Great Mountain" in Sanskrit. [4] [1]

In the Tengger Caldera: Mount Batok in front, next the smoking Mount Bromo, active Mount Semeru on skyline, 2014 Bromo 02.jpg
In the Tengger Caldera: Mount Batok in front, next the smoking Mount Bromo, active Mount Semeru on skyline, 2014

Geology

Semeru rises steeply above the coastal plains of eastern Java. Maars containing crater lakes have formed along a line through the volcano's summit. It was formed south of the overlapping Ajek-ajek and Jambangan calderas. [5] The eruptive products are andesitic. [6] Semeru lies at the south end of the Tengger Volcanic Complex.

Eruptive history

Semeru's eruptive history is extensive. Since 1818, at least 61 eruptive periods have been recorded [7] (11 of which resulted in fatalities) consisting of lava and pyroclastic flows. Almost all historical eruptions have had a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 2 or 3. [8] Semeru has been in a state of near-constant eruption from 1967 to the present. [9] The volcano's most recent eruption occurred in 2025. [10]

2021 eruption

In 2021, Semeru erupted in January, and on 4 and 6 December. [11] The eruption caused 11 km (6.8 mi) high ejections, lava flows for 5–11.5 km (3.1–7.1 mi) and ash rains for 30 km (19 mi). [12]

At least 57 people died, [13] 104 more were injured, while 23 were unaccounted for. [14] More than 10,000 people were displaced, and 1,027 houses, 43 public facilities and two bridges affected. [12]

2022 eruption

Monsoon rains in 2022 and 2023 led to the collapse of the lava dome; Semeru erupted again on 4 December 2022 with a pyroclastic flow of 12 km (7.5 mi) length, a pyroclastic earthquake and 13 eruptions earthquakes. [12]

2025 eruption

On 19 November 2025, Semeru erupted with a pyroclastic flow over the southern slope [15] that reached 7 km (4.3 mi), along with an ash cloud that reached a height of 2 km (1.2 mi). [16]

Legends

Semeru is named after Sumeru, the central world mountain in Hinduism. As stated in legend, it was transplanted from India to create the island of Java; the tale is recorded in the 15th-century East Javanese work Tantu Pagelaran . It was originally placed in the western part of the island, but that caused the island to tip, so the gods moved it eastward. On that journey, parts kept coming off the lower rim, forming the mountains Lawu, Wilis, Kelud, Kawi, Arjuno and Welirang. The damage thus caused to the foot of the mountain caused it to shake, and the top came off and created Penanggungan as well. [17] Indonesian Hindus also hold a belief that the mountain is the abode of Shiva in Java. [18]

Floral problems

Non-native invasive plants

25 non-native plants have been found in Mount Semeru National Park. [19] The non-native plants, which threaten the endemic local plants, were imported via many ways in the colonial era. [20] : 26–27  Around 1906-1907, M. Buysman, a Dutch botanical park owner in Nongkojajar in western slope of Tengger Mts., developed a huge collection of introduced plants in his park, which later spread widely to the surrounding areas. [21] : 57–59  They include Foeniculum vulgare , Verbena brasiliensis , Chromolaena odorata , and Salvinia molesta . [19]

Vegetable plantations

Mud erosion from surrounding vegetable plantations is adding silt to Ranu Pani Lake, causing the lake to gradually shrink. Research has predicted that the lake will disappear by about 2025, unless the vegetable plantations on the hillsides are replaced with more ecologically sustainable perennials. [22]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Global Volcanism Program | Semeru". Smithsonian Institution | Global Volcanism Program. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Residents are evacuating as Mount Semeru, Indonesia's highest volcano, has erupted". Associated Press. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "Mount Semeru".
  4. ↑ "Indonesia: Death toll rises to 14 after eruption of Semeru volcano". The Guardian . 5 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Semeru: Summary". Global Volcanism Program . Smithsonian Institution.
  6. ↑ "Semeru Volcano".
  7. ↑ "Semeru: Eruptive History". Global Volcanism Program . Smithsonian Institution . Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "Semeru: Eruptive History". Global Volcanism Program . Smithsonian Institution . Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "Volcano erupts in Indonesia". www.abc.net.au. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  10. ↑ "Indonesia's Mount Semeru Erupts for the Second Time on Friday, February 16". Tempo. 17 February 2024.
  11. ↑ Kurniawan, W.; Adriansyah, T. (2021). "Indonesia volcano erupts again as death toll rises to 22". KSL. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Bachri, S.; Sanjaya, E.H.; Sendari, S.; Shrestha, R.P.; Irawan, L.Y.; Billah, E.N.; Putri, N.R.C.; Prastiwi, M.R.H.; Hakiki, A.; Hidiyah, T.M. (2024). "The Development of Disaster Risk Map for Semeru Volcano Eruption 2021-2022, East Java, Indonesia". Indonesian Journal of Geography. 56 (3): 446–455. doi: 10.22146/ijg.89918 .
  13. ↑ Latu Ratri Mubyarsah, ed. (2021). "Hari Terakhir Pencarian Korban Erupsi Semeru, 57 Orang Meninggal" (in Indonesian). Jawa Pos. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  14. ↑ "Semeru Volcano Eruption Indonesia". No. Semeru Eruption. Reliefweb. 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  15. ↑ "Semeru volcano (East Java, Indonesia): massive block and ash flow created billowing ash plume". Volcano Discovery. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  16. ↑ "Indonesia raises alert for Mount Semeru volcano to the highest level after a series of eruptions". AP News. 19 November 2025.
  17. ↑ Soekmono (1973). Pengantar Sejarah Kebudayaan Indonesia 2. Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Penerbit Kanisius. p. 119. ISBN   979-413-290-X.
  18. ↑ Larasati, Ayu Utami (6 December 2021). "Legenda Gunung Semeru yang Melekat di Masyarakat". Tagar.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  19. 1 2 Widianto, Eko (25 October 2014). "Foreign Plantations Invade Mt Semeru". Tempo.
  20. ↑ Steenis, CGGJ van (1972). The Mountain Flora of Java. Leiden: EJ Brill.
  21. ↑ Backer, CA (1936). "Verwilderingscentra op Java van uitheemsche planten." De Tropische Natuur25 Jub.uitg.:51-60.
  22. ↑ Priyasidharta, David (15 December 2014). "Ranu Pane Lake Estimated to Disappear in 10 Years". Tempo.

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