Mount Lewotolok Volcanic Activity Surges Sharply, Public Warned to Stay Alert

Volcanic activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, has significantly increased on Sunday (25/5) evening. However, the volcano remains at Level II (Alert). Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, stated on Tuesday (26/5) that the increased activity was marked by a series of hybrid volcanic drumbeat earthquakes/Fase Banyak recorded from 7:00 PM WITA. ‘The hybrid volcanic drumbeat earthquakes lasted over an hour with relatively consistent intervals between events, gradually stretching out before disappearing,’ she said in a written statement. Mount Ili Lewotolok has been at Level II (Alert) since 24 February 2026. Prior to this, seismic activity had also increased in April 2026. According to monitoring data from 1-24 May 2026, there were 179 eruption earthquakes, 972 emission earthquakes, 17 rockfall earthquakes, five hybrid earthquakes, 14 shallow volcanic earthquakes, and 69 deep volcanic earthquakes. On 25 May 2026, seismic activity surged sharply with 91 hybrid/Fase Banyak earthquakes, 56 emission earthquakes, four eruption earthquakes, and seven deep volcanic earthquakes recorded. According to Lana, the Geological Agency also noted a sharp increase in seismic energy using the Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurements (RSAM) method during the hybrid drumbeat earthquakes. ‘The visual observations from the Ile Lewotolok Volcano Observatory showed no significant anomalies at the summit. The volcano was clearly visible until obscured by fog, with white to grey crater steam plumes rising 5-200 metres from the peak,’ she said. The eruption column was observed at 50-300 metres above the peak, white to grey in colour. Additionally, material avalanches occurred, but their direction and distance could not be visually assessed. Residents, climbers, and tourists are advised to avoid entering a two-kilometre radius around Mount Ili Lewotolok’s activity centre and to remain vigilant against potential lava avalanches and pyroclastic flows in the southern, south-eastern, western, and north-eastern sectors of the volcano. Additionally, residents living near the volcano are advised to wear masks and eye protection to mitigate the health impacts of volcanic ash, including respiratory issues.