Eruptions Resurge at Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano in Indonesia

The Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano, on the Indonesian island of Flores, has recently reasserted itself as a volcanic presence. Eruptions occurred on the weekend of April 26-27. The volcano towers to almost 1,600 meters. It has one of the world’s longest records of large eruptions, with the most recent colossal eruption occurring this past March. This activity has prompted authorities to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors in the region.

On the 26th and 27th, Lewotobi Laki-Laki blew its top with stunning vigor. The eruptions blasted ash columns of up to 4,000 meters into the atmosphere. The eruptions were reported by Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, or CVGHM. They further reported that blasts were accompanied by large, targeted explosions with impressive detonations booming across the landscape. These eruptions resulted in ash clouds that posed risks to air quality and aviation safety. This prompted regulators to issue even stronger warnings.

LewotoBi Laki–Laki’s March eruption was big enough to send major ashfall on the surrounding region. Air travel was hard-hit too, with all flights to and from Bali — which is located some 500 kilometers away — canceled. The international airport on Flores, where Labuan Bajo is located, has been significantly affected operationally following the volcanic eruption. In response to the most recent eruptions, officials are advising residents and visitors to maintain a safe distance. To minimize any possible threats, maintain a minimum distance of 6 kilometers from the volcano’s center.

The volcano is still not exhibiting signs of renewed activity. It erupted several times during the close of 2022, unfortunately taking multiple lives and burning down dozens of residences with flames and/or structural failure. The eruptions displaced thousands of local residents, many of them fleeing the lava flows and required emergency shelters.

While Lewotobi Laki-Laki is still very active with authorities still closely monitoring the situation, continued geological surveys are still directly offering life-saving, real-time information about where the hazards lie. This national effort to address them improves public safety in those impacted areas.