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According to Indonesia's official MAGMA/PVMBG volcanic activity reporting for Sunday, March 29, 2026, Semeru was at Level III (Siaga / Alert). In the official activity report for the 00:00 - 06:00 WIB period, observers noted that the volcano was clearly visible, with clear weather and light winds to the west.
Semeru has remained active through late March 2026. Weekly reporting compiled from PVMBG stated that during March 22 - 29, 2026, daily eruptive events produced ash plumes rising about 0.2 to 1.8 km above the summit, mainly drifting north, northwest, and west, while the alert level remained at 3.
This footage captures one of those eruptive moments from multiple perspectives, offering a rare and dramatic view of Semeru's continuing activity.
© CopernicusEU/Sentinel-2Satellite image of Sheveluch volcano on March 29, 2026
According to observations from the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) and satellite data, the eruption lasted about 30 minutes and produced a dense ash column that rose rapidly above the summit. The Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre confirmed the plume height, News.Az reports, citing The Watchers.
KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code to Red at 02:52 UTC, indicating an immediate and significant threat to aircraft. The ash cloud drifted eastward from the volcano, extending roughly 10 km (6 miles) from the summit.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), ash emission activity occurred from 5:58 AM to 9:02 AM local time, producing ash plumes rising up to 500 meters above the summit and drifting toward the south and southwest.
This activity follows a series of four ash emission episodes that began at 9:02 PM the previous evening, with individual events lasting between 43 and 184 minutes.
Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, indicating moderate unrest and the potential for further sudden explosive activity. Authorities strictly prohibit entry into the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to hazards such as ashfall, ballistic fragments, rockfalls, and pyroclastic density currents.
Standing 2,465 meters (8,087 ft) above sea level, Kanlaon is the most active volcano in the Visayas and continues to show persistent low-level eruptive activity.
This footage provides a clear view of sustained ash venting from the summit crater during the morning hours.
Pyroclastic flows are among the most dangerous volcanic hazards on Earth. They can move at extremely high speeds and carry scorching material capable of devastating everything in their path. When Semeru produces large collapses like this, the flows often race down drainages on the volcano's flanks and can travel great distances from the summit.
Also known as Mahameru, Semeru is the highest volcano on Java and has remained one of Indonesia's most closely watched active volcanoes. This video captures a powerful and dangerous moment as a major pyroclastic flow surges from the volcano during the morning hours.
According to Phivolcs in a statement, the eruption occurred at the summit of the volcano at exactly 06:07 p.m.
The eruption generated a 5 kilometer-high eruption column that drifted to the southeast and northeast.
"This is the third event at Kanlaon this year, following similar eruptions in 19 and 26 February 2026," Phivolcs said.
Meanwhile, Alert Level 2 remains raised over Kanlaon Volcano with prohibited entry into its 4 kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.
Under Alert Level 2, sudden steam-driven (phreatic) eruptions and signs of impending magmatic activity are possible.
Agus Budi Santoso, head of the Yogyakarta Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG), said flows descended toward the Kali Krasak (Krasak River) between midnight and 6 a.m. local time.
"Two pyroclastic flows were observed toward the southwest (Kali Krasak) with a maximum run of 1,600 meters," Agus said in a statement Monday in Yogyakarta.
The flows had amplitudes of 18-33 mm and durations of 175-188 seconds, according to BPPTKG observations.
© KVERTA towering pillar of gas and ash ingested air and other ejecta rising from Shiveluch's crater
A strong eruption generated a dense grey ash plume, which reached approx. 27,000 ft (8,200 m) altitude and drifted to the east.
This is highly likely might mean that the ongoing growing lava dome has been destroyed.
West Sumatra Indonesia - March 9 2026 - Eruption
The early morning eruption of Marapi, located in West Sumatra province, was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 30 millimeters and a duration of about 33 seconds, the Antara news agency reported, citing the Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Post (PGA).
Mount Marapi PGA officer Bilal Allegra Munbaits said the ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity and drifting eastward.
Mount Marapi is currently at Alert Level II status. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation warned of a potential threat of cold lava flows, especially for communities living along rivers originating from the volcano's peak.
Comment: Also active recently on March 15th: 5 kilometer-high eruption column at Kanlaon Volcano in the Philippines