Volcanic Activity at Mount Ile Lewotolok Increases

Volcanic activity at Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, has increased since mid-June 2026, according to the Ile Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post. The heightened activity is characterised by a rise in the frequency of eruptions and audible rumbling sounds.

Stanislaus Arakian, an observer at the post, reported that the increase in eruption and gas emission earthquakes has been accompanied by strong booming noises. In some instances, the rumbling from the crater has been powerful enough to shake the walls and window panes of nearby residents’ homes.

Data from the observation post recorded 1,746 eruption earthquakes, 2,198 gas emission earthquakes, 45 rockfall events, 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 between 1 and 30 June 2026. Despite the increase in seismic energy measured by the Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement (RSAM), the levels remain below those recorded in June 2026.

Visual observations noted white crater smoke of thin to thick intensity rising 20 to 400 metres above the summit. Eruption columns were observed reaching heights of 100 to 600 metres, with colours ranging from white to grey. Incandescent material was ejected approximately 200 to 500 metres towards the southeast and around 100 metres towards the south.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has urged residents, hikers, and tourists not to conduct activities within a two-kilometre radius of the volcano’s active centre. Communities are also advised to remain vigilant for potential lava avalanches and pyroclastic flows, particularly in the southern, southeastern, western, and northeastern sectors. Despite the increased activity, the alert level remains at Level II (Waspada), and residents have been asked not to panic upon hearing rumbling or booming sounds, as these are typical of a volcano in an eruptive phase.