Kupang (ANTARA) - The Geological Agency’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) has raised the status of Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata District, East Nusa Tenggara, from Level II (alert) to Level III (standby) from Wednesday.
The move follows a significant increase in volcanic activity on Mount Ile Lewotolok since June 27, 2025, Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid said in a statement received here on Thursday.
The heightened activity has been marked by an increase in the height of the eruption column to 1,200 meters from the peak, accompanied by the ejection of incandescent material toward the southeast and northeast as far as 1,500 meters.
“The eruption was accompanied by a rumbling sound and a strong boom, which are typical of volcanic activity in the eruption phase,” Wafid said.
According to the agency’s records, 2,482 eruption earthquakes, four avalanche earthquakes, 348 gust earthquakes, 11 harmonic earthquakes, 16 distant tectonic earthquakes, and eight shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes each have been recorded on Mount Ile Lewotolok from June 16 to July 2.
Visually, the mountain is clearly visible, unless fog conditions prevail.
The smoke from the crater has been observed to be thin to a thick white, reaching a height of 10–600 meters from the peak. Meanwhile, the eruption column is grayish white to black, with a height of 100 to 1,200 meters from the peak.
The PVMBG has advised residents, visitors, climbers, and tourists against carrying out activities within a radius of three kilometers from the crater.
Related news: Geological Agency urges public to avoid Ile Lewotolok Volcano summit
Residents have also been advised to remain alert for avalanches or ejections of incandescent material and hot clouds toward the southern, southeastern, western, and northwestern sectors of the mountain.
“We urge the public not to panic if they hear a rumbling or booming sound from the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok because this is a characteristic of volcanic activity in the eruption phase,” the PVMBG explained.
It has warned that strong booming sounds can cause buildings, especially windows and door glass, to rattle.
Local governments and residents have been urged to continue to coordinate with the Mount Ili Lewotolok Observation Post in Laranwutun village, Ile Ape district.
They have also been asked to monitor official information provided by the Geological Agency through the Magma Indonesia application or webpage (https://magma.esdm.go.id), or the Geological Agency’s social media.
Related news: Mt. Lewotolok: Geological Agency sounds alert for lava floods
This news was published on Antaranews.com with a title: Indonesia raises alert for Ile Lewotolok as activity increases
