Mount Ili Lewotolok Volcanic Activity Increases, Loud Booms Heard

Volcanic activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has increased. However, the volcano’s status remains at Level II (Alert).

The Acting Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Lana Saria, stated in a report on Wednesday (8/7) that the increase in activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok has been characterised by a rise in the number of eruptions and inflation earthquakes since mid-June to early July 2026.

“Based on visual and instrumental monitoring data, Mount Ili Lewotolok is showing increased volcanic activity, particularly a significant rise in the number of eruption events. The activity level of Mount Ili Lewotolok remains at Level II (Alert),” said Lana Saria.

She explained that during July 2026, eruptive activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok has frequently been accompanied by loud explosions that often vibrate the walls and windows of houses belonging to residents living near the volcano.

Seismic monitoring data for the period of 1–30 June 2026 recorded 1,746 eruption earthquakes, 2,198 inflation earthquakes, 45 rockfall earthquakes, 56 harmonic tremors, 55 non-harmonic tremors, 32 hybrid earthquakes, 11 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 124 deep volcanic earthquakes, 31 local tectonic earthquakes, and 41 distant tectonic earthquakes.

Meanwhile, for the period of 1–7 July 2026, there were 908 eruption earthquakes, 583 inflation earthquakes, 6 rockfall earthquakes, 13 harmonic tremors, 17 non-harmonic tremors, 5 hybrid earthquakes, 4 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 8 deep volcanic earthquakes, 5 local tectonic earthquakes, and 12 distant tectonic earthquakes.

Visual observations from the Ili Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post showed white crater smoke with thin to thick intensity at heights of 20–400 metres above the peak. Eruption columns were observed reaching heights of 100–600 metres with white to grey colours.

Additionally, officers observed the projection of incandescent material at distances of 200–500 metres towards the southeast and approximately 100 metres towards the south. Although seismic energy has increased, the values remain below the seismic energy recorded throughout June 2026.

Lana Saria urged the public, hikers, and tourists not to enter the area within a two-kilometre radius of the centre of activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok. Residents are also asked to be wary of the potential for lava flows and pyroclastic flows in the southern, southeastern, western, and northeastern sectors of the volcano.

“The public is advised not to panic if they hear rumbling or explosions from the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok, as these sounds are characteristic of volcanic activity currently in an eruptive phase,” she said.