Mount Semeru in Indonesia erupted on Wednesday, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the country’s highest status, Level IV. The eruption sent a towering column of smoke and ash nearly 2 kilometers above the volcano’s peak, casting a haze over East Java’s Lumajang Regency and signaling a significant increase in volcanic activity.

Local reports described how the plume drifted across the region, while emergency officials urged residents living near the mountain to move toward safe evacuation zones. Lumajang Regent Indah Amperawati called on communities at risk to follow government instructions and relocate to shelters prepared for the emergency, emphasizing that their safety was the top priority.

A government statement confirmed that Semeru is now at Level IV, indicating that the volcano is exhibiting highly dangerous levels of activity. Standing 3,676 meters (12,060 feet) above sea level, Mount Semeru is known as one of Indonesia’s most active and unpredictable volcanoes, with a long history of eruptions—some of them deadly.

Indonesia’s unique geography plays a major role in its frequent seismic and volcanic events. The country sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a vast zone of tectonic activity where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common. With more than 120 active volcanoes, Indonesia faces ongoing challenges in monitoring activity and protecting nearby populations.

As Mount Semeru continues to show signs of unrest, authorities remain on high alert, urging residents to stay informed and follow evacuation guidelines to reduce the risk of injury. The latest eruption serves as another reminder of the powerful natural forces that shape the Indonesian archipelago.