Mount Ili Lewotolok Erupts Again, Thick Ash Column Rises 700 Metres
Mount Ili Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara erupted again on Monday afternoon (7/9/2026). The eruption occurred at 16.40 Central Indonesian Time (WITA), with the ash column observed at approximately 700 metres above the summit, reaching around 2,123 metres above sea level.
The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported that the ash column was observed to be grey in colour with a thick intensity. The column drifted towards the north-west, and the eruption was accompanied by a moderate rumbling sound.
“This eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm and a duration of approximately 55 seconds,” stated the report from Magma-VEN of the Ministry of ESDM, sourced from the Ili Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post on Monday (7/9/2026).
The afternoon eruption marks the latest development in the activity of Mount Ili Lewotolok, which remains at Level II or Alert status. The Geological Agency has called on residents and tourists to continue complying with the applicable safety recommendations in the volcano’s vicinity.
Communities around Mount Ili Lewotolok, as well as visitors, hikers and tourists, are urged not to enter or carry out activities within a two-kilometre radius of the volcano’s activity centre. The restriction also applies within a three-kilometre radius on the southern and south-eastern sectors.
The Geological Agency also reminded the public of the potential dangers of lava avalanches or landslides and pyroclastic clouds. This potential needs to be anticipated in the southern and south-eastern sectors, the western sector, and the north-eastern sector of Mount Ili Lewotolok.
Residents living around the volcano are also advised to use protective masks covering the mouth and nose. People are asked to wear equipment that can protect the eyes and skin to avoid health problems caused by exposure to volcanic ash, including acute respiratory tract infections (ISPA).
Clean water storage containers should also be covered to prevent volcanic ash from entering and contaminating water sources. The public is asked to keep following developments regarding Mount Ili Lewotolok’s activity through official government channels.
Local government and communities are asked to continue coordinating with the Ili Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post in Laranwutun Village, Ile Ape District. Information can also be obtained from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) and the Geological Agency in Bandung.
Prior to the eruption at 16.40 WITA, Mount Ili Lewotolok also erupted on Monday at 11.43 WITA. At that time, the ash column was observed at approximately 600 metres above the summit, or around 2,023 metres above sea level.
The ash column from the 11.43 WITA eruption was grey with a thick intensity, drifting towards the south-west and west. That eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm and a duration of approximately 32 seconds.
A day earlier, Mount Ili Lewotolok also erupted on Sunday (6/9/2026) at 21.37 WITA. The ash column at that time reached approximately 500 metres above the summit, or around 1,923 metres above sea level, with a thick grey column drifting towards the south and west.
The 6 September eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm and a duration of approximately 32 seconds. The series of eruptions indicates that Mount Ili Lewotolok’s activity is ongoing while the volcano remains at Level II or Alert status.
Developments in the volcano’s activity and technical recommendations can be monitored through the Magma Indonesia application or website, PVMBG’s social media, and the Geological Agency’s official website. The public is asked not to approach areas designated as danger zones and to follow every recommendation from the authorities.