Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts Again, Spewing Ash Cloud over Flores Island
Indonesia raises alert level after multiple eruptions at the active volcano, affecting local communities and air travel.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, erupted shortly after midnight on Monday, sending an ash cloud approximately 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) high.
The eruption marks a significant escalation in volcanic activity following the elevation of the alert level to the highest tier in the nation's four-tiered warning system.
The Indonesian volcanology agency reported a further eruption at 09:36 am (0136 GMT), continuing a series of explosive events that began on Sunday.
Authorities indicated that multiple eruptions over the weekend had already propelled ash to heights reaching six kilometres above the volcano's peak.
Muhammad Wafid, the head of Indonesia’s geological agency, commented on the ongoing activity, stating, "Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s activities are still high," and cautioned that a larger eruption could still occur.
In his advisories, Wafid recommended that residents wear face masks to protect against ash inhalation and urged them to avoid areas within six kilometres of the crater to ensure safety.
The potential for lahar floods, characterized by flows of mud and debris, was also highlighted, particularly given the risk of heavy rain affecting rivers originating from the volcano.
In November, a series of eruptions from Lewotobi Laki-Laki resulted in nine fatalities, the cancellation of numerous international flights to Bali, and the evacuation of thousands of residents.
Mount Lewotobi is part of a twin-peak formation, with its counterpart being Mount Lewotobi Perempuan, which rises to 1,703 metres (5,587 feet) and is known for being less active.
Indonesia's geological landscape is shaped significantly by its location on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, resulting in frequent seismic and volcanic activity across the archipelago nation.
The eruption marks a significant escalation in volcanic activity following the elevation of the alert level to the highest tier in the nation's four-tiered warning system.
The Indonesian volcanology agency reported a further eruption at 09:36 am (0136 GMT), continuing a series of explosive events that began on Sunday.
Authorities indicated that multiple eruptions over the weekend had already propelled ash to heights reaching six kilometres above the volcano's peak.
Muhammad Wafid, the head of Indonesia’s geological agency, commented on the ongoing activity, stating, "Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s activities are still high," and cautioned that a larger eruption could still occur.
In his advisories, Wafid recommended that residents wear face masks to protect against ash inhalation and urged them to avoid areas within six kilometres of the crater to ensure safety.
The potential for lahar floods, characterized by flows of mud and debris, was also highlighted, particularly given the risk of heavy rain affecting rivers originating from the volcano.
In November, a series of eruptions from Lewotobi Laki-Laki resulted in nine fatalities, the cancellation of numerous international flights to Bali, and the evacuation of thousands of residents.
Mount Lewotobi is part of a twin-peak formation, with its counterpart being Mount Lewotobi Perempuan, which rises to 1,703 metres (5,587 feet) and is known for being less active.
Indonesia's geological landscape is shaped significantly by its location on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, resulting in frequent seismic and volcanic activity across the archipelago nation.
