Lewotolok Volcano Erupts on Thursday Afternoon, Status Remains on Alert

Mount Ili Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara erupted again on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 5:44 PM WITA. In the last week, Mount Ili Lewotolok has erupted twice.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the ash column height was observed to be approximately 400 meters above the peak (1,823 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the southeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 29.5 millimeters and a duration of 50 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcano activity report, the activity level of Mount Ili Lewotolok is at Level II (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on February 22, 2024, from 00.00 to 23.59 WITA showed 1 eruption/volcanic eruption with an amplitude of 26.8 millimeters and a duration of 44 seconds.

Furthermore, there were 347 puffing/exhalation quakes with amplitudes of 2.9-20.8 millimeters and durations of 45-440 seconds, and 2 hybrid/multiple-phase earthquakes with amplitudes of 2.5-4.8 millimeters, s-p 0.5-2 seconds, and durations of 7.8-17 seconds.

PVMBG advises the public around Mount Ili Lewotolok, as well as visitors/climbers/tourists, not to enter or conduct activities within a 2-kilometer radius of the center of Mount Ili Lewotolok's activity. The residents of Lamawolo, Lamatokan, and Jontona villages should remain vigilant against potential hazards from lava collapses/landslides and pyroclastic flows from the eastern part of the peak/crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok.

During 2024, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 243 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra had the most eruptions (69 times), while Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted 12 times.