Semeru, an Indonesian Great Mountain

 

Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru (Great Mountain) or Semeru (only), located in East Java is the highest mountain on the island of Java and one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. Typically eruptions occur every 20-30 minutes, with ash emissions to 100-400 m above the crater, and projectiles ejected onto the crater rim. The present activity center is at Jonggring Seloko, a crater that appears in the southeast part of Mahameru, and it is separated by a narrow saddle.

 Semeru is named from Sumeru, the central world-mountain in Buddhist cosmology. In legend it was transplanted from India; the tale is recorded in the 16th-century East Javanese work Tantu Panggelaran. It was originally placed in the western part of the island, but that caused the island to tip, so it was moved eastward. On that journey, parts kept coming off the lower rim, forming the mountains Lawu, Wilis, Kelut, Kawi, Arjuno and Welirang. The damage thus caused to the foot of the mountain caused it to shake, and the top came off and created Penanggungan as well.
   Mount Semeru is located between the regencies of Malang and Lumajang with geographical position of 8 06' South Latitude and 12 55' East Longitude. The peak of Mount Semeru is 3,676 m above sea level. The Caldera of Mount Semeru is located in the Lumajang Regency viewed from the South. Mount Semeru resembles a perpectly cone-form but in fact it is a dome form with stripefield on hillsides.

Mount Semeru can be climbed over two days but it is a venture for serious trekkers only and requires a high level of physical fitness. A permit must obtained in advance and would be climbers should be very aware that the mountain will be off- limits during periods of eruptive activity. This is a very active volcano. If you do decide you are up for this you should be able to find a guide to go at least part of the way with you at the park office in Ranupani. That office is also the best source of information for an assessment of the current state of the mountain and for hooking up with serious climbers from around the world.
   
Flora in Semeru area consisted of various species dominated by Casuarina junghuniana, Acacia decurens, Pinus merkusii and Podocarpus sp. Understory species are dominated by Euphathorium odoretum, Imperata cylindrica, Melastomamalabathricum and Anaphalis javanica. And fauna spesies can be found in Mount Semeru area like : Panthera pardus. Presbytis cristata, Paradoxurus hemaproditus, Muntiacus muntjak and tragulus javanica.
   

The Picture of Semeru