The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation is closely monitoring Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in the East Flores Islands after it erupted four times on Monday, 20th January.
The volcano also erupted several times in November 2024, causing travel havoc in East Nusa Tenggara Province and even in Bali too.
The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation recorded eruptions from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki at 2.39 pm, 4.25pm, 4.52pm and 5.31 pm on Monday 20th January 2025. During the first eruption no ash cloud as observed, the eruption was recorded with an amplitude of 14.8mm and continued for 2 minutes and 55 seconds.
The second eruption at 4.25pm did record a significant ash cloud, which reached 800m above the peak of the volcano, around 2,384 m above sea level.
The ash cloud was noted to be ‘thick’ and was leaning in a north-westerly direction. This second eruption recorded an amplitude of 38mm and lasted one minute and one second.
The third eruption, less than 30 minutes from the second, reached an ash cloud that flew 900m above the volcano’s peak, with an amplitude of 22mm and a duration of 1 minute, 29 seconds.
The fourth eruption at 5.31 pm was by far the most significant, with an ash cloud that Waheed 1,300 m above the summit, with an amplitude of 8.1mm and a duration of 2 minutes 56 seconds. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is currently under a level 3 alert status, and therefore, the public and visitors are not permitted to carry out activities within a 5-6km radius of the active and erupting volcano.
Nearby communities to Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki have been advised to be aware of the rain, including lava floods, and to keep a close eye on both eruption updates and the weather forecast. If heavy rain falls over the coming days, there is a risk of lava rivers flowing from the peak of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. The public is advised to follow guidance from authorities on the ground should such an incident take place.
It is not only Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki that is erupting this week. Mount Ibu, located on Halmahera Island in North Maluku, has recorded 1,079 eruptions in the last 20 days and has sent ash clouds flying over 2 miles into the sky.
Tourists traveling to the Maluku Region of Indonesia should check the latest travel advice and reports from the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation before embarking on trips to the region.
As for tourists and flight passengers, both Bali Airport and Labuan Bajo Airport remain open and unaffected by Monday’s eruptions and ash clouds from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. Bali Airport will be quick to issue updates should flights become impacted by the ash clouds, as was the case in November 2024.
In a social media post published during the November eruptions, the Indonesian National Tourism Board, Wonderful Indonesia, issued useful guidance to tourists on what to do in the event of volcanic eruptions.
Wonderful Indonesia explained, “In light of the recent Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki eruption in East Nusa Tenggara, it’s a reminder of the dynamic power of Indonesia’s 68 active volcanos. Nestled within the Pacific Ring of Fire, these awe-inspiring landscapes offer unique adventures, but safety is essential.”
Adding, “If you’re near an erupting volcano, it is critical to follow updates from official sources; you can monitor volcanic activity through the official website or social media account of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).”
The advice explained that those who find themeless in the radius of an active volcanic eruption should “stay indoors during ash fall, seal windows and seek designated safe zones, follow official updates closely, and avoid river valleys and low-lying areas to minimize lahar exposure.”
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