Active volcano Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia experiences another eruption, expelling towering ash clouds for miles.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, has been causing disruptions since late 2023, with a series of significant eruptions taking place in 2024 and continuing into 2025. This remote island volcano, located on Flores, has been at the highest alert level since June 2025 due to increased seismic activity and ground inflation.
The latest eruptions occurred in July and August 2025, producing large ash plumes that reached up to 22 km (72,000 feet) high, pyroclastic flows traveling up to 5 km down its slopes, and volcanic lightning. The eruptions have been explosive and are among the largest in Indonesia since 2010, reminiscent of the eruption of Mt. Merapi on the densely populated island of Java in 2010.
The impact of these eruptions has been widespread. Ashfall has covered nearby villages, with pyroclastic flows devastating local terrain. The eruptions have also led to flight disruptions, notably affecting Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport. Authorities have issued warnings about lahars, which are mudflows triggered by heavy rainfall on volcanic deposits, as a potential risk.
Despite the intensity of the eruptions, there have been no reported casualties as of yet. However, thousands of residents near Mt. Lewotobi Laki-Laki have been permanently relocated due to a series of eruptions, and nine people were killed and thousands of homes destroyed by eruptions at the volcano in November 2024.
To ensure public safety, an exclusion zone of about 4.3 miles radius has been enforced around Mt. Lewotobi Laki-Laki. Drone observations have shown deep movement of magma, setting off tremors that registered on seismic monitors. The Geology Agency of Indonesia has recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds, rocks, and lava traveling three miles down the slopes of the mountain.
As the eruptions continue, local communities are urged to remain vigilant, especially during periods of heavy rainfall, which could trigger lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano. The Indonesian authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
[1] Geological Agency of Indonesia (2025). Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano Alert Bulletin. Retrieved from https://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/
[2] Volcanic Discovery (2025). Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruption Update. Retrieved from https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/
[3] BBC News (2025). Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruption Disrupts Flights in Indonesia. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news
[4] The Jakarta Post (2025). Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruption: What We Know So Far. Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/
- The continuing eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in California, as noted in the reports by Geological Agency of Indonesia and Volcanic Discovery, are affecting not only the local environment and health-and-wellness of residents but also the space-and-astronomy field due to the ash plumes reaching altitudes of 22 km.
- In an effort to maintain public health, medical-conditions, and environmental-science, authorities in Indonesia have established an exclusion zone and are closely monitoring potential lahars and volcanic activities near Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, as highlighted by articles from the BBC News and The Jakarta Post.
- The government of Indonesia, in collaboration with agencies specializing in geology, volcanology, and environmental science, continues to provide regular updates on Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki's eruptions, addressing the concerns of residents and policymakers related to health-and-wellness, space-and-astronomy, and environmental impacts.
