Semeru Eruption; Japan Monitors Chances of Tsunami

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan's Meteorology Agency is monitoring the possibility of a tsunami following the eruption of Mount Semeru in East Java on Sunday, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Australia said.

Using its Himawari-9 weather satellite, Japan is observing the spread of the volcanic ash and checking if the eruption may cause any tsunami that could affect Japan. It said that so far there has been no significant changes in tide levels throughout Sunday.  

NHK reported the Japanese weather officials add that no particular atmospheric pressure changes have been observed in the country since the eruption. A massive distant eruption can sometimes cause changes in atmospheric pressure, leading to tidal level changes.

Officials say people should stay remain calm and updated with the latest information

In a separate statement, the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) head of Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono, emphasized the results of observations in Japan which found no impact on the change in the high tide. He referred to a national online media report about the warning of a tsunami threat due to the eruption of Mount Semeru.

"I uploaded the translated NHK webpage as proof that there is nothing to worry about," he said via Twitter on Sunday night.

ZACHARIAS WURAGIL

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