• Source:JND
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Indonesia Volcano Alert: Indonesia's rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki explosively blew on Monday, sending a towering column of volcanic material as high as 18 kilometres into the sky and blanketing nearby villages with ash, officials said. The massive eruption, one of the country’s largest since the deadly Mount Merapi eruption in 2010, forced Australian airlines including Qantas, JetStar, and Virgin Australia to cancel several flights between Australia and Bali due to volcanic ash risks.

The Indonesian Geology Agency confirmed that the twin-peaked volcano, which is in East Nusa Tenggara province, has been at the highest alert level since last June, after heightened seismic activity and recurring eruptions. “The eruption sent an avalanche of searing gas clouds, rocks, and lava up to 5 kilometres down the slopes,” said Muhammad Wafid, Chief of the Geology Agency, currently attending a seminar in Switzerland. The crater has been filled with lava as seen in pictures taken by drones, a definitive indication of extensive movement of magma deep beneath the volcano that caused volcanic earthquakes.

Exclusion Zone Expanded As Danger Increases

Officials have widened the exclusion zone surrounding Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki to a radius of 7 kilometers, while calling on villagers and tourists to keep away from the volcano. "An eruption of this magnitude poses more risk, including severe effects on aviation safety," Wafid said to the Associated Press, further stating that officials are reviewing safety zones to safeguard residents and visitors. Earlier on June 17, the volcano had erupted with an 11-kilometre ash cloud, leading hundreds of people to flee and augmenting monitoring activities. Post that, volcanic tremors have increased sharply, and dozens of occurrences have been reported daily.

ALSO READ: Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Erupts Violently, Spews Ash 10,000 Metres High, Triggers Top Alert Level | WATCH

Airport Closures And Ash Fallout

The island's Frans Seda Airport has been kept shut since the beginning of 2024 because of continuous volcanic eruptions, which disrupted local travel. On the other hand, Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport remains in action, even though airlines closely watch for possible ash-created flight risks. Villages around the twin volcano standing at 1,584 metres, which encompasses Mount Lewotobi Perempuan, have received extensive ash fall. Authorities have directed citizens to wear masks, remain indoors where possible, and adhere to advice from authorities.

ALSO READ: Planning To Visit Bali? Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Erupts, Causing Flight Cancellations

Lying on the seismically active Ring of Fire, Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes, ranking it among the global leaders in volcanically unstable countries. With a population of more than 280 million, the archipelago is often threatened by earthquakes and eruptions. The Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption that occurred in November 2024 resulted in nine deaths and the injury of dozens, highlighting the ongoing danger facing residents of communities around the volcano's slopes. Authorities continue to monitor the volcano 24/7 and have appealed to the public to avoid misinformation and rely only on verified updates.