Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on Flores Island, Indonesia, erupted eight times, spewing ash columns up to 5.5 km into the sky. The alert level has been raised to Level IV (highest tier) amid concerns of stronger eruptions and volcanic hazards.
Key Facts at Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Volcano Name | Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki |
| Location | Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia |
| Latest Alert Level | Level IV – Highest alert (4-tier system) |
| Eruption Intensity | 8 eruptions; ash columns between 3 km and 5.5 km high |
| Exclusion Zone | Extended to 6 km radius around the crater |
| Twin Volcano | Lewotobi Laki-Laki (‘male’) & Lewotobi Perempuan (‘female’) |
| Recent Peak Activity | March 2025 (8 km ash plume), Nov 2024 (fatal eruption) |
| Latest Plume Direction | Drifted north and northwest, reaching 5 km altitude |
| Air Travel Advisory | Red alert issued by VAAC Darwin, Australia |
Additional Geophysical Context
- Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly seismic zone prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- Coinciding with volcanic activity, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck North Sumatra, with tremors also recorded in Sulawesi, Bali, West Papua, and Seram Island.
Public Safety Measures
| Area | Details |
| Evacuation | Not yet enforced, but residents advised to evacuate the danger zone |
| Health Advisory | Wear face masks to avoid inhaling volcanic ash |
| Lahar Threat | Risk of cold lava (lahar) flows during heavy rains |
| Monitoring | Indonesian Geological Agency continues to closely monitor activity |
| Community Alert | Residents near rivers and slopes advised to remain vigilant |
Volcano Pair: Lewotobi Laki-Laki & Perempuan
| Volcano | Characteristics |
| Lewotobi Laki-Laki | More frequent eruptions, currently active |
| Lewotobi Perempuan | Largely dormant in recent decades |
| Name Meaning | Laki-Laki = ‘Male’, Perempuan = ‘Female’ in Indonesian |
Volcanic Eruption Timeline in Indonesia – 2025
| Month | Notable Eruption(s) |
| January – April | Multiple volcanoes erupted across Indonesia |
| February 2025 | Alert level for Lewotobi raised to Level IV |
| March 2025 | Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted; 8 km ash plume |
| May 2025 | 8 eruptions; 6 km exclusion zone; ash up to 5.5 km high |