Powerful eruptions at Lewotobi Laki-laki eject ash up to 16.7 km (55 000 feet) a.s.l., Indonesia
Powerful eruptive activity at Indonesia’s Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano continues after a series of high-level eruptions began on November 3, 2024, damaging over 2 300 homes and claiming lives of at least 9 people.
Satellite image of ash produced by Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano in Indonesia at 04:40 UTC on November 9, 2024. Credit: JMA/Himwari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
Four days after the initial high-level eruption on November 3, activity at Lewotobi intensified again on November 7, with multiple high-level eruptions ejecting ash up to 16.7 km (55 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.)
A high-level eruption at 20:47 UTC on November 8 ejected ash to 15.2 km (50 000 feet) a.s.l. followed by another powerful explosion at 00:50 UTC on November 9, with the top of the ash cloud reaching 15.8 km (52 000 feet) a.s.l., according to the Darwin VAAC
The eruption on November 3 plunged nearby villages into darkness as lava bombs and volcanic debris rained down up to 4 km (2.1 miles) from the crater, damaging over 2 300 homes, claiming the lives of 9 people and leading to power outages. Authorities have declared a state of emergency, extending assistance to over 10 000 affected residents.
The Indonesian government initiated plans for a permanent relocation of residents near the volcano on November 6, without specifying how many people will be relocated.
BNPB Chief Suharyanto said that the decision to relocate residents permanently is a long-term mitigation measure to prevent future loss of life and damage from potential eruptions.
The relocation effort will focus on moving residents living within a 7 km (4 miles) radius of the crater, an area deemed highly vulnerable.
The Alert Level remains at 4 of 4 and the Aviation Color Code at Red, as of 06:56 UTC on November 9.
The Lewotobi edifice on eastern Flores Island consists of two nearby stratovolcanoes, Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan. The summits, aligned NW-SE, are less than 2 km (1.2 miles) apart.
Laki-laki, to the northwest, has seen frequent eruptions in the 19th and 20th centuries, while Perempuan experienced eruptions in 1921 and 1935.
Both summits host small lava domes from 20th-century activity, with craters open to the north. The prominent Iliwokar cone sits on Perampuan’s eastern flank.
References:
1 VA Advisory for Lewotobi volcano – Darwin VAAC – November 8 and 9, 2024
2 Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano activity updates – PVMBG – November 8 and 9, 2024
3 Lewotobi geological summary – GVP – Accessed on November 9, 2024
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