Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts, volcanic ash plumes reach up to 1,500 m
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has experienced two eruptions, with volcanic ash plumes reaching up to 1,500 metres, on Wednesday (3 March). The two eruptions occurred at 09:42 WITA, with ash plume height of 1,000 metres. The second eruption occurred at 13:55 WITA, with ash plume height reaching 1,500 metres above the summit.
The Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG), through the Head of the Volcano Observation Post (PPGA), Herman Yosef Mboro, confirmed this in a written report on Wednesday (3 March).
“There has been an eruption of G. Lewotobi Laki-laki, East Nusa Tenggara, on 03 March 2026 at 09:42 WITA with observed ash column height of ± 1,000 m above the summit (± 2,584 m above sea level),” Herman said in the written report received by CNNIndonesia.com.
He stated that during the eruption the ash column was grey in colour with thick intensity leaning toward the north and northeast. “This eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 14.8 mm and a duration of about 50 seconds,” said Herman, reporting from PPGA in Pululera Village, Wulanggitang District.
During the second eruption at 13:55 WITA, Lewotobi Laki-laki expelled volcanic ash up to 1,500 metres above the summit. The seismogram recorded a maximum amplitude of 7.4 mm and a duration of around 49 seconds to date. “The ash column was grey in colour with thick intensity leaning toward the north and northwest,” he added.
Herman explained that Lewotobi Laki-laki, located in Nurabelen Village, Ilebura District, has an altitude of 1,584 metres above sea level. The mountain is currently at alert status, Level II.
Being at alert status or Level II, the Lewotobi Laki-laki PPGA staff forbids local residents and visitors from engaging in any activity within a four-kilometre radius. “People around G. Lewotobi Laki-laki and visitors/tourists must not engage in any activity within a 4 km radius of the eruption center,” Herman said in the PPGA-issued recommendation.
In addition, PPGA reminded residents to be aware of the potential for lahars in rivers that originate from the summit of Lewotobi Laki-laki if heavy rain occurs, especially in the areas of Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Nawakote.
PPGA also reminded communities affected by ash fall to wear masks or nose-and-mouth coverings to avoid health risks from volcanic ash to the respiratory system.
[Gambas:Video CNN]