Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending volcanic materials soaring up to 18 kilometers into the atmosphere. Ash blanketed nearby villages, leading to major disruptions including flight cancellations.
These dramatic eruptions occurred on Flores Island, where authorities had already raised the volcano’s alert status to its highest level following an eruption on June 18. The exclusion zone around the volcano had been extended to a 7-kilometer radius in anticipation of more frequent activity.
Twin Eruptions Hurl Lava and Ash, Disrupt Flights and Threaten Surrounding Communities
The eruptions unleashed searing gas clouds, rocks, and lava that flowed as far as 5 kilometers down the slopes of the 1,584-meter mountain. Drones confirmed the presence of lava filling the crater, suggesting intense underground magma movement.
The first eruption, which occurred shortly after 11:00 a.m. local time, produced the tallest ash column since a deadly eruption in November 2024. A second eruption at 7:30 p.m. that evening sent another ash plume 13 kilometers into the sky. Authorities acknowledged the rising danger and considered expanding the exclusion zone further.
As a result of the eruptions, at least 24 international flights, including routes between Bali and countries like Australia, Singapore, and South Korea, were canceled. Several domestic flights were also grounded.
Despite these disruptions, Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport remained operational, as volcanic ash had not yet penetrated its airspace. Locally, falling ash darkened the sky for nearly 30 minutes and deposited gravel-sized debris in surrounding villages, posing health and safety risks.
Urgent Warnings Issued as Lava Threatens Communities Amid Indonesia’s Volcanic Unrest
Authorities urged residents to remain alert, especially in light of possible heavy rain that could trigger dangerous lava flows through river channels. Volcanic fragments had reached up to 8 kilometers from the crater, and videos showed dramatic mushroom-shaped clouds and ash burying houses up to their rooftops.
Panic ensued in some communities, prompting residents to flee the area by car and motorbike. Experts attributed the explosive eruptions to built-up pressure from magma blockage in the crater, which had masked signs of danger by suppressing seismic activity.
Monday’s eruptions at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki rank among Indonesia’s most significant since Mount Merapi’s deadly 2010 event. With 120 active volcanoes, Indonesia is no stranger to such threats. It sits on the volatile “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active zone known for frequent earthquakes and eruptions.
These latest events underscore the ongoing geological risks facing the archipelago’s 280 million residents and highlight the need for constant vigilance and preparedness in one of the world’s most volcanically active regions.
