Lewotolok Volcano Erupts on Friday Afternoon; Alert Level Raised

Mount Ili Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara erupted again on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 11:35 WITA (West Indonesia Time). In the last week, Mount Ili Lewotolok has erupted 7 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the height of the ash column was observed to reach 500 meters above the peak (1,923 meters above sea level).

The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity towards the west. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 33.2 millimeters and a duration of 50 seconds.

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, the activity level of Mount Ili Lewotolok is at Level III (Alert). Observations of seismic activity on May 10, 2024, from 00:00 to 06:00 WITA showed 94 volcanic gas emissions with amplitudes of 3.3-15.7 millimeters and durations of 31-272 seconds. Furthermore, there were 5 non-harmonic tremors with amplitudes of 5.4-7.8 millimeters and durations of 315-657 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 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 663 volcanic eruptions/eruptions throughout Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java had the most eruptions (227 eruptions), while Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted 60 times.