BJ Deming

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi (Dec. 1, 2025, 0030 UTC)

  • MAGMA page (Indonesian), with still-image webcam
  • MAGMA VONAs (Volcano Ibservatory Notice for Aviation)
  • Satellite (Flores is the horizontal, thin, and long island just NE of the -10, -120 point; Lewotobi is on its eastern end, near the south shore)
  • Darwin VAAC page
  • Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program (GVP) page

December 10, 2025, 4:30 p.m., Pacific: Lewotobi has had a very impressive blast since the last update — see the GVP page for all details.

This layperson worries about Lewotobi, even though it currently is more calm. It declines, but then it comes back seemingly stronger than the last explosive blast. This explosive activity hasn’t become sustained yet, but I can’t help feeling that the volcano wants to go full-on Plinian but can’t yet for some reason.

Anyway, volcanologists lowered the alert one notch (Indonesian) again on December 8.

From the Google translation of that link:

…During the period of December 1-7, 2025, the volcanic activity of Mount Lewotobi showed a significant downward trend. Visual data recorded a decrease in the intensity of surface activity, while the still fluctuating rockfall earthquakes more likely reflect the process of material adjustment on the slopes towards stability. Blast earthquakes showed a slight increase, but this indicates the release of gas pressure from shallow layers, not a sign of escalation towards an eruption.

Seismic data supports the indication of decreased activity. Non-harmonic tremors decreased significantly, indicating that the previously active magma supply is now mostly filling fractures at shallow depths at a slower rate. Harmonic tremors and low-frequency earthquakes did increase, but this activity reflects fluid movement at depth, not strong magma migration towards the surface. The absence of shallow volcanic earthquakes also reinforces the picture that there is no significant pressure in the shallow zone that usually triggers eruptions.

Deep volcanic earthquakes decreased significantly in the last two weeks but were not followed by energy release during the last three weeks. This differs from the previous pattern, where an increase was usually followed by an eruption within a short time frame, indicating either an obstruction in the conduit or a decrease in the supply of new magma. Local and distant tectonic activity remains fluctuating, but does not show a significant influence on increased volcanic activity. On the other hand, deformation data from tiltmeters and GNSS show a decreasing trend from October to early December 2025, indicating the absence of new magmatic pressure within the mountain.

Overall, the parameters—visual, seismic, and deformation—indicate that Mount Lewotobi is in a short-term declining phase. There is no strong indication of a new magma surge that could potentially trigger a major eruption in the near future. However, the potential for lahars during the rainy season needs to be monitored closely…

August 18, 2025, 11:52 a.m., Pacific: Per VONAs, Lewotobi waited five hours after the last blast reported below and then had an explosive burst up to a little over 16,000 feet.

Over an hour it then had four more strong bursts, and then settled down for seven hours.

I was hoping that that had been the climactic series, but starting at 0822 UTC, two blasts up to around 8,000 feet occurred and then, at 0912, a burst up to 24,000 feet (which was not sustained and did not develop a big umbrella cloud).

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At the moment, low-level emissions are ongoing according to both Darwin VAAC and the webcam.

The Level IV alert reportedly was called when Lewotobi began to swell, presumably from an intrusion of fresh magma.

[Layerson speculation] Something is still keeping most of that magma inside. Whether it comes out, this layperson suspects, will depend on its gas content and intrusion rate, but sufficient increase in either one (or both) could cause a major breakout at any time.

Another factor is erosion of material blocking the conduit (presumably hardened basalt and debris from past events, though I haven’t a clue as to the pressure field involved, which could be substantial and perhaps toward overall compression, working against the expanding volume and increasing gas pressure).

Vent erosion doesn’t seem fast now, given the long pauses and still frequent low-level stuff, but any sustained high-level emissions, I suspect, could scour out an existing plug very quickly. [/Layperson speculation]

August 17, 2025, 3:56 a.m., Pacific: Since the earlier posts last fall, Lewotobi has had occasional bouts of fairly low-level violence.

Its most recent one was stronger, but not self-sustaining:

Now, reportedly Level IV is in effect and they expect a major eruption.

This is something to keep a close eye on because Lewotobi is on a populated island. Indonesia has done an excellent job of keeping people out of harm’s way through all the restlessness but transportation routes are limited and are also vulnerable to tephra.

As well, some of Lewotobi’s earlier blasts have affected air traffic in the region. A sustained major eruption would have even worse effects.

Earlier post

November 14, 2024, 7:41 a.m., Pacific: The news stories I could find focus on the refugee situation, which involves at least 13,000 people now, but PVMBG did tweet an update from 2129 local time on the 14th (it’s now almost noon on the 15th there):

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The current Darwin VAAC advisory, from almost two hours ago, reports volcanic ash to 14,000 feet and ongoing emissions.

November 13, 2024, 2:07 p.m., Pacific: It’s difficult to tell what’s going on at Lewotobi right now — the observation post was abandoned when activity picked up yesterday, according to YouTube translation of this news video from the 12th:

I found no PVMBG reports on the volcano today on X and about the usual number on Ibu and Semeru (also quite active though, to this layperson’s mind, not as unstable right now).

This X account is posting images, the latest from several hours ago (it’s daytime there now):

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There are probably other sources of reliable up-to-date information that I haven’t found yet.

I did find some info and did an X thread on it for the 13th:

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We’ll see how November 14th goes on eastern Flores Island.

Edit, 7:24 p.m., Pacific: The GVP update, through the 12th, is out:

Most Recent Weekly Report: 6 November-12 November 2024

The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that eruptive activity at Lewotobi Laki-laki remained at a high-level during 5-12 November, producing tall ash plumes, explosions, pyroclastic flows, and a lava flow, which all significantly affected residents, infrastructure, and transportation. The Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) reported that as of 5 November there were 2,472 people spread across three evacuation shelters. A total of nine people had died (six from one family according to a news article) from the eruptive events that occurred during 3-4 November, 63 were injured, and five people remained in the hospital, one was critically injured. Information about damage to homes and infrastructure was incomplete because the exclusion zone and ongoing eruption prevented evaluations.

During 5-6 November dense gray ash plumes rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted SW, W, and NW. A webcam image from 1858 on 6 November showed incandescent material descending one of the flanks.

Another webcam image from 0244 on 7 November showed incandescent material being ejected above the summit and descending the flanks. Dense gray ash plumes during the early morning hours of the 7th rose as high as 2.5 km above the summit and drifted SW and W. At 0853 a dense gray ash plume rose 2.5 km above the summit and drifted SW. According to a news report the event was accompanied by a banging noise and pyroclastic flows that descended the NW flank about 1 km. PVMBG noted that during 1010-1200 dense ash plumes that were gray or gray and brown in color rose as high as 8 km above the summit and drifted SW. A news source reported that pyroclastic flows descended the NNE flank 3-4 km, and abundant amounts of ash fell from the plume onto the flanks and in areas downwind. Activities were prohibited within a radius of 7 km from the center of Laki-laki with restrictions expanding to 8 km on the SW and NW flanks later that afternoon. During 7-8 November the Darwin VAAC reported that some of the ash plumes rose as high as 16.8 km (55,000 ft) a.s.l. based on satellite data.

PVMBG and BNPB reported that several large explosive eruptions were recorded during 8-9 November, and BNPB noted that about 1,049 additional people evacuated from seven villages. At 0125 on 8 November an ash cloud rose 5 km above the summit and pyroclastic flows traveled as far as 3 km down the NE flank. Eruptive events at 0748, 1023, 1044, and 1314 generated ash plumes that rose 1-2.5 km above the summit. An explosive eruption at 1355 generated a dense ash plume that rose as high as 10 km and drifted SW, W, and NW. Pyroclastic flows descended the flanks in all directions and ash fell in areas downwind. According to a news report several “bangs” were heard by residents in Pululera Village (8 km NW), Wulanggitang. They observed dark black clouds accompanied by thunderstorms and occasional lightning; ash fell in the village 15-20 minutes after hearing the bangs. The hazard exclusion zone was expanded to an 8-km radius around both the Laki-laki and Perempuan craters and access to roads connecting East Flores and Sikka Regency was restricted. Authorities urged residents to go to centralized evacuation points in Wulanggitang and Larantuka Districts in the East Flores Regency, and in Maumere City (63 km WSW) in the Sikka Regency.

At 0447 on 9 November a dense, gray-brown ash plume rose 9 km above the summit and drifted SW, W, and NW. Rumbling sounds were reported. According to the Darwin VAAC the ash plumes rose as high as 15.2 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l. based on satellite data. Pyroclastic flows descended the NW flanks as far as 2 km. Intense incandescence emanating above the summit and avalanches of incandescent lava descended multiple flanks. Eruptive events at 0716, 0850, 1123, 1233, 1253, 1508, 1640, 1815, and 1942 on 9 November generated ash plumes that rose as high as 6 km above the summit. The VAAC reported that at 0850 and 0920 ash plumes rose as high as 15.8 km (52,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

During 0600-1200 on 9 November the hazard exclusion zone was expanded to 9 km on the SW, W, and NW flanks of Laki-laki. Additional evacuation centers opened in SDK Eputobi (16 km NNE) in the Titehena District. Community members were assisting in food preparation, health workers offered care and psychological support to families, teachers were providing lessons to students, and surrounding communities helped with sanitation needs. By 2000 on 9 November a total of 11,445 residents had evacuated. The Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport (317 km W) was closed during 9-10 November and at least 30 flights were cancelled. Ships were sent to transport people to areas with open airports.

According to a news report an eruption occurred early in the morning on 10 November; a photo showed streams on incandescent material covering the upper flanks. A webcam image captured at 1814 showed a possible lava flow on the upper W or NW flank. BNPB reported that on 10 November two evacuation posts, in Hikong and Kringa (12-15 km from the summit), that were being affected by ashfall were moved to East Flores. Ash plumes rose 1-6 km above the summit and drifted SW, W, NW, and N.

On 11 November airports that remained closed because of ashfall included the Komodo International Airport, the Francis Airport Xaverius Seda (60 km W), the H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport (126 km WSW), the Soa Airport (190 km W), and Frans Xavier Seda Airport (252 km W). Ash plumes continued to be produced, rising 0.5-2.5 km above the summit and drifting SW, W, and NW. A webcam image at 2006 showed incandescent material being ejected above the summit, and advancement of the lava flow on the NW flank.

Ash plumes on 12 November rose as high as 9 km above the summit and drifted SW, W, and NW. Webcam images from 0406 and 0527 showed the advancing lava flow and a dark plume rising from possibly the end of the flow. A news report noted on 12 November that preliminary estimates suggested that around 2,700 housing units needed to be built for evacuees to be relocated. The H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport, Gewayantana Airport (38 km NE), Frans Xavier Seda Airport, and Soa Airport in Bajawa among others remained closed. According to a news report about 84 flights in and out of Bali’s Gusti Ngurah Rai international airport (835 km W) were affected during the previous few days and on 13 November 90 international and domestic flights were cancelled. BNPB reported that by 13 November a total of 13,116 people were in evacuation shelters across eight locations…

November 13, 2024, 4:46 p.m., Pacific: I was wrong about no more “towering column of ash” stories. Despite having two ongoing lava flows out to about 4 km each, Lewotobi also got explosive again on the 12th, starting around midday, per both PVMBG and the following Kompas video via YouTube autotranslation:

Darwin VAAC’s current advisory reports ash to 15,000 and 30,000 feet, with ongoing emissions to 15,000 feet. About an hour ago the announcement came on X that all flights to and from Bali are grounded because of ash.

The president of Indonesia is in the US on a state visit but he tweeted a little while ago that he has consulted with various Indonesian agencies on the emergency response and wants updates. The nation’s VP has also been meeting with the relevant groups, per news reports.

As far as I can tell, no property or village has been affected by the lava yet, and there are still about 12,000 refugees, some of whom apparently are now being moved farther away on Flores Island.

This is not a simple by-the-book eruption, for sure.

November 11, 2024, 9:53 a.m., Pacific: There have been 11 reports on X from PVMBG on eruptions so far today, and all of those events had relatively low reported plume heights, 2,000 meters or less.

Darwin VAAC, within the hour, reported ongoing emissions to 16,000 feet.

In the night views, especially, a lava flow is apparent. According to this Kompas story (Indonesian), the flows are advancing on evacuated villages inside the 7-km radius, and other news sources report that the no-go zone has been extended to 12 km.

As this layperson understands things, increased lava flows can occur after the magmatic source of an eruption has expelled most of the gases it contained. Degassed, the molten material flows more easily.

So we might not see many more new “towering columns of ash” stories and images — and Lewotobi may even drop off of the international news radar — but the most locally destructive phase of this escalation in activity seems to have begun. I hope it is not extensive.

November 9, 2024, 7:46 a.m., Pacific: Yesterday I got stuck on TalkWeather, starting here.

There were many updates but the situation at the moment can be simply put: Lewotobi keeps erupting.

To this layperson, online videos sometimes show violent strombolian activity (and perhaps also fountaining — visibility is difficult), as well as pyroclastic flows that only travel 2-3 km.

I took a nine-hour break overnight and on getting back online there were seven PVMBG reports of new eruptions and a VAAC advisory of ash to 50,000 feet.

So, Lewotobi is violently erupting in strombolian/vulcanian fashion (which explains the short pyroclastic flow path), though I don’t know how a professional would classify it, as well as explosively.

It’s a complicated picture and not well conveyed by most international news reports (with the exception of a Hattiesburg station’s online AP article), which generally focus only on the big blasts.

I haven’t a clue what will happen next but hope that things will stay at this level for as brief a period as possible and then quiet back down to the low levels that Lewotobi has been demonstrating for months this year.

Only, all this violence has probably changed the conduit shape and affected the plumbing system in important ways. Sigh. Volcanoes are changeful places.

In human terms, no more casualties have been reported since the 3rd of November. Friday, they extended the no-go zone to 8 km, and on Saturday to 9 km. More evacuation centers have opened. The ash is severely affecting road travel in East Flores, and at least one airport has closed.

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🌋🌋🌋

This video, posted two hours ago,shows views of, first, the 8:50 a.m. (local time) big one on Saturday and then the one at dawn that day, 4:45 a.m.:

Nine hours ago Kompas posted this overview of big blasts during the day Saturday (the evacuation shots are from Friday, when the evacuation zone was expanded to 8 km):

As mentioned on TalkWeather, two more big blasts have come in recent hours.

November 8, 2024, 7:42 p.m., Pacific: Make it five, with Darwin VAAC reporting ash to 52,000 feet. There was a less powerful blast about an hour and a half earlier, too, per PVMBG:

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And about four hours earlier it had been doing this:

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November 8, 2024, 3:13 p.m., Pacific: Lewotobi has had four paroxysms that generated plumes over 15 km high (source, Japanese), including this one, ongoing:

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However, it appears to be mostly ashfall affecting the neighborhood, and not too destructively yet, in this news video about yesterday’s evacuations:

Surreal, isn’t it.

Per other videos on that channel, one of yesterday’s big ones trapped SAR workers briefly. There were no reported injuries or casualties.

The ashfall damage looks light, and as far as I know, pyroclastic flows have not yet travelled farther than 3 km from the summit.

But this explosive volcano is very unstable, and they are moving people as far away from it as practicable at this stage.

I hope those Flores islanders stay safe and will soon be able to return, and return to undamaged homes.

November 8, 2024, 6:20 a.m., Pacific: Per YouTube translation of this video uploaded three hours ago, Lewotobi Laki-Laki has had another big blast (and a total of fourteen eruptions thus far). The plume reached 8 km. Pyroclastic flows went as far as 3 km, and there also are lava flows out to 1.5 km.

No casualties are reported, but as you can see, there are more evacuations.

For now, they say, tremor has subsided.

Antara News reports (Indonesian) that, according to browser translation, the PVMBG director calls this eruption unusual; he was discussing the initial stage of lava bombing but I think it might apply also to the whole active phase — that Lewotobi has not acted this way in known history.

November 7, 2024, 4:02 p.m., Pacific: The elevated activity continues, although reported plume height is less:

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The USGS tweeted earlier today that their aerial/satellite data program is involved. Such equipment, I believe, generally includes instruments that can “see” through ash and weather clouds.

This layperson thinks that Lewotobi’s blast yesterday would have been plinian but it was not sustained —

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— though I don’t know how volcanologists classify such events.

The question now is whether this uptick is paroxysmal or part of a series of throat-clearing eruptions prior to something bigger/more prolonged. The former seems most likely after a look at the GVP eruption history page showing only three VEI 3’s in the last 350 years and nothing larger, but volcanism is full of surprises, so let’s wait and see.

November 7, 2024, 9:02 a.m., Pacific: Yesterday volcanologists shared some images of somewhat stronger activity at the Laki-Laki summit, but as this Kompas story (Indonesian) succinctly puts it (browser translation):

Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano erupted again with a roar that emitted hot clouds and sand rain as high as 5,000 meters towards the affected area at 11.15 WITA, Thursday (11/7/2024).

Per the rest of the story, one lady had a stroke but search-and-rescue teams had not found casualties at that point — evacuation orders are in place and probably saved countless lives, given the pyroclastic flows seen in some social media images:

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Volcano Discovery has VAAC details and other information.

Here is the Global Volcanism Program report through November 5th:

The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that eruptive activity intensified at Lewotobi Laki-laki during 30 October-5 November, which included a major eruption resulting in fatalities. The large explosive eruption began at 2357 on 3 November, generating pyroclastic flows that traveled down the flanks in all directions, ejecting ballistic projectiles, and forming a large vent within the summit crater. Seismic data indicated that the explosion lasted about 24 minutes, until 0021 on 4 November. Darkness prevented direct ash plume observations, but the Darwin VAAC issued an aviation advisory for ash to 12 km altitude (10.3 km above the summit) based on infrared data from the HIMAWARI-9 satellite. Within 3 minutes of the eruption onset, at 0000 on 4 November, the Alert Level was raised to Level 4 (the highest on a four-level scale), the Aviation Color Code was elevated from Orange to Red (the highest on a four-color scale), and the hazard exclusion zone was expanded to a 7-km radius around both the Laki-laki and Perempuan craters.

The BNPB Operations Control Center (Pusdalops) reported at 0745 on 5 November that nine people had died as a result of the eruption, another person was in critical condition, and 63 has serious or minor injuries. At least six of those who died came from Klatanlo Village, 3 km NW of the summit. As many as 10,295 people, or 2,734 families, were evacuated to unaffected areas 15-20 km from the volcano. Many areas were covered in ash, incandescent ejecta started fires in residential areas, and homes were damaged within a 7-km radius. There were six villages affected in Wulanggitang District (Pululera, Nawokote, Hokeng Jaya, Klatanlo, Boru, and Boru Kedang), four villages in the Ile Bura District (Dulipali, Nobo, Nurabelen, and Riang Rita), and four villages in the Titehena District (Konga, Kobasoma, Bokang Wolomatang, and Watowara). Multiple impact craters from ballistic ejecta were discovered, with the furthest reported at 7 km; one at an unreported location measured approximately 13 m wide and 3 m deep.

Ash from the eruptions disrupted airspace navigation around Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport, Soa Airport, Haji Hasan Aroeboesman Airport, Frans Sales Lega Airport, Komodo International Airport, Gewayantana Airport, Wunopito Airport, and Kabir Airport, which led to the cancellation of several flights. By 1600 on 4 November, all airports resumed flights, except for Komodo International Airport, which remained closed until 0630 on 5 November.

Explosions continued on 4 November, with five events producing ash plumes that reached at least 300 m above the summit and incandescent material visible in nighttime webcam images. A total of three explosions were recorded on 5 November, which produced ash plumes that rose to 1 km above the summit.

Prior to the major 3-4 November events, eight explosions recorded during 30-31 October produced ash plumes that reached approximately 1 km above the summit. On 1 November, PVMBG reported a significant increase in the number of deep volcanic earthquakes, and another eight explosions generated ash plumes that reached approximately 2 km above the summit. Explosive activity continued to increase, with Strombolian explosions at 0250 and 0420 generating eruption columns that reached 1.5-2 km above the summit; lightning was observed within the eruption columns. No explosions were recorded between 2359 on 1 November and 2357 on 3 November, although seismicity remained elevated.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Antara News, Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), Radio Republik Indonesia

November 6, 2024, 9:57 a.m., Pacific: No updates yet on the GVP website, but Lewotobi Laki-Laki is still restless, per this news story (Indonesian), and the Level IV alert is maintained.

Saw this on X — there are heroes everywhere:

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Per X translation:

The kind hero has retired

Sister Nikolin Padjo, had struggled to save the boarding school children and community residents when Mount Lewotobi, East Flores erupted.

Unfortunately, while in the room, a boulder slid right into her room and she couldn’t get out to save herself. Sister Nikolin was buried under a large rock and couldn’t be saved.

Sister Nikolin has been serving as the community leader for three years. She is 60 years old and has been in perpetual vows for 35 years.

Today, Sister Nikolin will be buried in Watumilok village, Kangae District, Sikka Regency, NTT Province.

His task in this world is over. He has done more than the average person is capable of.

Heaven is a very fitting place for you, sister.

RIP Sister Nikolin Padjo

November 4, 2024, 9:04 a.m., Pacific: According to browser translation of this Kompas.TV update (Indonesian) several hours ago, with a tweet added for illustration (note: I think the “incandescent lava” arrived ballistically as bombs, not as a flow):

Kompas TV regional bali Nusa tenggara

This is the situation in East Flores after the eruption of Mount Ile Lewotobi Laki-Laki

Bali nusa tenggara | 4 November 2024, 19: 54 WIB

Author: Aisha Amalia Putri

East Flores, KOMPAS.TV — Sunday (3/11) night, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted and spewed hot lava.

Eruptive Material, incandescent lava and rocks hit residential areas.

As a result, a number of residents’ homes were burned and heavily damaged.

Not only that, some homes and schools also suffered severe damage.

Inter-district road access was paralyzed due to being covered by eruptive material.

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Geological Disaster Mitigation expert, Surono, said that the early warning that had been implemented was actually followed by residents to avoid casualties.

Until Monday (4/11) afternoon, at least 10 people were declared dead and dozens more injured.

The joint team is still conducting a sweep to ensure victims are affected.

Meanwhile, the head of the BNPB disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari stated that the awas or level 4 status is now set for Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. Residents are asked not to move within a radius of 7 kilometers.

November 3, 6:39 p.m., Pacific: Sad news, per X translation of this tweet:

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Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), erupted again on Sunday (3/11) night. Nine people were reported to have died as a result of the incident.

“The incident happened last night at around 23.57 WITA. 9 people died,” said Head of the East Flores Communication and Information Service (Kominfo), Hironimus Lamawuran when contacted, quoted from Kompas, Monday (4/11).

Hironimus revealed, based on temporary identification, eight adults and one child were fatalities. They were residents of Klatanlo Village, Wulanggitang District. “Those who died were mostly hit by debris from the houses they lived in,” he said.

Previously, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) raised the status of the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano from alert level III to alert level IV starting November 3, 2024 at 24.00 WITA.

Head of PVMBG Prihatin Hadi Wijaya explained that the increase in status was based on the results of an evaluation of the development of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki’s activity from October 23 to November 3, 2024.

Kompas is live just now, and it looks as though the worst is over — this layperson’s unconfirmed guess is that the conduit plug might have given way, but we’ll see:

Here is an impressive lava bomb crater:

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November 3, 5:50 p.m., Pacific: This sounds bad — I’m looking for more information:

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Original post:

You know how close-ups of lava flows usually include only a little of the background — someone’s foot or rock hammer for scale, maybe, or a bit of the surrounding flow field?

Well, here is a great big honkin’ lava flow — the gray, sticky kind that’s associated with subduction zones — large enough for the camera to have to also take in a whole forest plus two mountains — the twin “husband and wife” stratovolcanoes that form Mount Lewotobi on eastern Flores Island!

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It is the “husband” (Laki-Laki) that initially erupted on January 1st. Laki-Laki is much more active than Perempuan (the “wife”), which has only erupted twice on recorded history.

You might have heard about the thousands of people who were evacuated because of this eruption.

No lives have been lost, as far as I know, but Lewotobi Laki-Laki produces ash plumes and pyroclastic flows, in addition to massive lava flows, and it is still erupting:

Per Lingo Tube translation, she says the lava flow began on January 16th and panicked residents fled their homes. Instruments picked up impressive tremor (which also was impressive on the 20th). The lava extended for 2 km at the time of this video and was out to 3 km when they flew the drone over it for that tweet at the start of this post.

Online information about Lewotobi isn’t easy to come by, other than at a few sites like the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) page and tourism-oriented articles like this.

I’m guessing that the sparseness of volcanological articles for Lewotobi on English-language Google Scholar means that it hasn’t exactly been a research magnet yet.

Science seems to have focused more here on hobbits and dragons.

Perhaps this eruption, together with the growing economic importance of Flores Island, will attract research interest and, most importantly, funding.

Some lagniappe:

Hobbits?

Yep:

Dragons?

Of course! Flores is where you catch the boat for this dragon park:

Featured image: Badan Geologi<.

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