Massive eruption at Indonesia Mount Lewotobi sends ash 18 km into sky, forces flight cancellations

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted explosively on Monday, sending a towering column of volcanic material nearly 18 kilometers into the atmosphere.

The dramatic eruption — among the most powerful the country has seen since Mount Merapi’s deadly blast in 2010 — showered surrounding villages with ash and forced widespread flight cancellations. Major Australian airlines, including Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia, suspended several routes between Australia and Bali due to the hazardous ash cloud.

Located in East Nusa Tenggara province, the twin-peaked Lewotobi volcano has been under the highest alert level since June 2023, following months of increased seismic activity and smaller eruptions.

The Indonesian Geology Agency reported that the latest eruption unleashed an avalanche of superheated gas, rocks, and lava that surged five kilometers down the slopes. According to the agency’s chief, Muhammad Wafid, currently attending a seminar in Switzerland, drone images revealed the crater brimming with lava — clear evidence of deep and ongoing magma movement beneath the volcano.

In response to the increased threat level, authorities expanded the exclusion zone around the volcano to a seven-kilometer radius and urged residents and tourists to steer clear of the area

Wafid emphasized the heightened danger, noting that such large-scale eruptions present serious risks to aviation safety and public health. The current eruption follows a similar incident on June 17, when an ash plume reached 11 kilometers into the sky, triggering evacuations and intensifying monitoring operations. Since then, the frequency of volcanic tremors has spiked, with dozens of seismic events recorded daily.

Frans Seda Airport, which services the nearby region, has been closed since early 2024 due to ongoing volcanic activity, further disrupting travel and emergency response efforts. While Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport remains operational, aviation authorities are on high alert.

Ash has blanketed villages near both Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki and its sister peak, Mount Lewotobi Perempuan, prompting health advisories. Citizens have been instructed to wear protective masks, stay indoors, and follow safety guidelines issued by local officials.

Indonesia sits atop the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is home to approximately 120 active volcanoes, making it one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. With a population exceeding 280 million, the nation regularly contends with natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

A previous eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in November 2024 claimed nine lives and injured dozens, underscoring the persistent threat to communities near the volcano. The government has reassured the public that it continues to monitor the situation round-the-clock and urges residents to rely on verified information to avoid panic and misinformation.