Dramatic Eruptions Shake Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki

On Monday, Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice, sending volcanic materials soaring up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) into the atmosphere. Ash rained down on nearby villages and triggered the cancellation of numerous flights.

Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities were reported. Since a major eruption on June 18, the volcano has been at its highest alert level, prompting authorities to double the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius as the frequency of eruptions increased.

Intense Volcanic Activity and Rising Dangers

The Geology Agency recorded avalanches of scorching gas clouds, rocks, and lava racing up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) down the slopes of the 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) volcano. Drone footage captured lava filling the crater, indicating significant magma movement beneath the surface, which was also responsible for triggering local earthquakes.

According to Geology Agency chief Muhammad Wafid, the morning eruption produced the highest ash column since a deadly event in November 2024, which claimed nine lives. Additional eruptions have been observed in March and now in July.

Widespread Disruption and Aviation Impact

The massive ash plumes from the volcano forced at least 24 flight cancellations between Bali and destinations like Australia, Singapore, and South Korea. Several domestic flights were also called off.

Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spokesperson for Bali’s Ngurah Rai international airport, stated that airport operations continued as usual since Bali’s airspace remained unaffected by the ash cloud. However, falling ash covered multiple villages, dimmed sunlight for nearly thirty minutes, and left homes blanketed in volcanic debris.

Hazards for Local Communities

According to Hadi Wijaya from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, thumb-sized gravel and ash fragments were hurled as far as 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the crater. Residents were cautioned to be alert for potential lava flows triggered by heavy rainfall.

Dramatic photos and videos shared online showed mushroom-shaped ash clouds and entire villages coated with volcanic debris, prompting panicked residents to seek shelter or flee on foot and by vehicle.

A Nation of Volcanoes

The recent eruptions were caused by a build-up of magma pressure inside the crater, which masked seismic warning signs and ultimately led to a powerful release. Monday’s initial eruption was one of the largest in Indonesia since Mount Merapi’s deadly 2010 eruption on Java island.

Indonesia, situated along the volatile “Ring of Fire,” is home to over 120 active volcanoes and frequently experiences significant seismic events.

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