Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts as Alert Level Raised

A volcano in eastern Indonesia has erupted multiple times, sending ash columns kilometres into the sky after authorities raised its alert level to the highest tier, prompting the suspension of operations at a local airport on Saturday.

Details of the Eruption

• Volcano: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki
• Height: 1,584 metres
• Location: Flores Island, Indonesia
• Type: Twin-peaked volcano, paired with Mount Perempuan (1,703 metres)

The volcanology agency reported that Friday evening saw a series of eruptions, with the largest at 10:46 pm local time propelling volcanic material six kilometres (nearly four miles) above the summit.

Activity continued on Saturday morning, with several eruptions, including one that sent an ash column 2.5 kilometres into the air.

The eruptions followed the geology agency’s decision to raise the alert level to the highest tier of Indonesia’s four-level system on Friday night.

Safety Warnings and Precautions

Muhammad Wafid, head of the geology agency, issued warnings for both residents and tourists:

• Maintain a minimum distance of six kilometres from the volcano’s crater.
• Be aware that volcanic ash could disrupt airport operations and flight paths.
• Communities near rivers should stay alert for hazardous lahar floods, which are mud or debris flows triggered by volcanic material during heavy rain.

Airport Disruptions

• Frans Seda Airport in Maumere, serving domestic flights on Flores Island, suspended operations following the eruptions.
• Airport head Partahian Panjaitan stated that authorities would monitor developments on Sunday before deciding whether to reopen.

In July, the volcano produced an 18-kilometre ash column, forcing the cancellation of 24 flights at Bali’s international airport.

• Bali airport operations on Saturday were reported as normal, according to spokesperson Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi.

Additional Information

• The name Laki-Laki translates to “man”, while its twin Perempuan means “woman”.
• Indonesia is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, making it prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

Summary Table

The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki underscores Indonesia’s vulnerability to volcanic activity and the ongoing need for vigilance in both populated areas and aviation operations.