TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) recorded hundreds of local tectonic earthquakes as a result of the increased volcanic activity of Mount Lemongan in Lumajang Regency, East Java.
The rising intensity of the quakes happened since the last four days to Thursday, November 14.
PVMBG reported that a total of 252 quakes rocked the area last Wednesday, November 13, in which tremors from 15 of them were felt with an amplitude of 10-30 mm at I-IV level of MMI scale.
Continuous tremor also jolted the area with an amplitude of 10-30 mm (5 mm at dominant).
Mount Lemongan is one of the world's unique mountains for its eruption that does not happen at the summit, but on lands around the mountain. Hence, the eruption forms ranu or maars (crater) and small mountains (bocha). There are around 60 points of eruption marks.
In 1799-1899, Mount Lemongan was recorded as the most active mountain in Indonesia.
PVMBG Head Kasbani said in his report that people in the west to southwest of Mount Lemongan, namely Sumber Petung Village, Tegal Randu, and Papringan likely be affected by the earthquake.
He added that the mountain’s seismic activity had increased but that did not show visual changes and other volcanic symptoms.
"Based on observations and visual and instrumental data analysis up to November 13, the activity level of Mount Lemongan is still at the level I (normal)," Kasbani remarked.
He further appealed to the community living near Mount Lemongan to remain calm and not to be provoked by baseless issues related to the volcanic eruption. Hikers are also asked to stay vigilant to any development of Lemongan Volcano activities issued by the local PVMBG and Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).