Tourists traveling to Bali and across Indonesia must always be on alert for volcanic eruption alerts. Indonesia sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, and Bali is home to two active volcanoes, Mount Batur and Mount Agung.
This week, seismologists are closely watching Mount Semeru on Bali’s neighbouring island of Java.
Mount Semeru can be found in East Java. The peak is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia and has been erupting increasingly frequently over the last year.
On Saturday, 4th April, the volcano erupted nine times, shooting ash clouds upwards of 1km into the air. The volcano stands at 3,676m and first started erupting on Saturday morning at 2.07 am, with the first ash cloud reaching 700m above the peak.
Speaking to reporters, Mount Semeru Observation Post officer Liswanto shared, “The highest eruption occurred at 5:19 a.m., with an ash column reaching around 1,000 meters above the summit.” He added, “The ash plume was gray and thick, moving westward. It was recorded with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and lasted 141 seconds.”
Data shows that the eruptions correspond with earthquakes recorded in the area at the same time. During the monitoring period, 17 earthquake eruptions were recorded with amplitudes ranging from 12 to 22 mm and durations between 56 and 112 seconds.
Eruptions continued into Sunday, 5th April, with further ash clouds and pycroclasitc flow recorded, reaching 3.5km.
Communities that live within the vicinity of Mount Semeru have been warned of the potential for further pyroclastic flows, lava avalanches, and lahars along rivers originating from the peak, including the villages of Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat. The warning level for Mount Semeru remains at Level III.
These latest eruptions have not impacted travel in Java or in Bali, but it is important that tourists continue to keep a close eye on updates from airlines, Bali Airport, and us here at The Bali Sun.
While Mount Semeru is 239km from the western shores of Bali, eruptions from the volcano have narrowly missed impacting Bali travel in the last six months.
The massive eruptions that took place in mid-November saw ash and lava plumes rocket 8.5km into the sky, and in the space of just one six-hour observation period, 32 avalanche earthquakes were recorded.
The eruptions prompted Bali Airport Manager, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, to urge tourists to arrive at Bali Airport extra early in case of flight changes, though no flights were impacted.
Tourists are advised to follow Bali Airport on Instagram and keep checking in with their airline regularly in the days prior to their flights in and out of Bali to keep up to speed with last-minute flight changes, delays, or cancellations.
Indonesia’s volcanoes are some of the most iconic landmarks in the country, attracting millions of tourists every year.
Though many of Indonesia’s volcanoes are active, there are many that remain on a low alert level status, which permits hikers to trek to the summit provided they are accompanied by a licensed local guide.
Top volcanoes to hike in Indonesia include Java’s Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen, Lombok’s Mount Rinjani, and Bali’s Mount Agung and Mount Batur.
Bali’s Mount Agung is the tallest and most sacred peak on the island. For the next few weeks, all access to Mount Agung is prohibited as the landscape has been closed to the public in alignment with Balinese Hindu ceremonies that are taking place at Besakih Temple.
Mount Agung will be closed to the public, locals and tourists alike, until 24th April 2026, with guided hiking access reopening on the 25th April.
This is due to the major Karya Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh (IBTK) ceremonies that will be held at the Agung Besakih Temple annually.
Tourist access to Besakih Temple has also changed this month due to ceremonies; tourists are advised to check in with their tour guide about how this will impact their visits and itinerary plans.
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