The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has recorded hundreds of local tectonic shocks as a result of the increased volcanic activity of Mount Lemongan in Lumajang, East Java.
PVMBG reported that a total of 252 earthquakes rocked the area on Wednesday November 13. Tremors from 15 of them were felt with an amplitude of 10-30 mm at I-IV level on the MMI scale.
“Based on observations and visual and instrumental data analysis up to November 13, the activity level of Mount Lemongan is still at level I (normal),” PVMBG Head Kasbani remarked.
He further appealed to the community living west to southwest of Mount Lemongan, namely Sumber Petung Village, Tegal Randu, and Papringan, to remain calm and not to be provoked by baseless rumours related to the volcanic eruption that claim they are likely be affected by the earthquakes.
Hikers are also being asked to stay vigilant regarding any developments of Lemongan’s activities issued by the local PVMBG and Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).
Mount Lemongan is a unique volcano in the world, in that its eruptions do not happen at the summit, but on lands around the mountain. Hence, the eruption forms craters and small mountains known as bocha. There are around 60 points of eruption around the mountain.
Source: Tempo
Image: Backpacker Jakarta