Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruption Sends 1,000‑Meter Ash Plume in Indonesia

On 18 July 2026 at 09:38 WITA, the Lewotobi Laki‑Laki volcano in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province erupted, producing an ash column measured at about 1,000 m above the summit (≈2,584 m above sea level). The PV GMB recorded the event with a maximum seismic amplitude of 47.3 mm lasting roughly 3 minutes 15 seconds. "The ash column was grey and thick, drifting west‑southwest," the agency noted.

Authorities raised the volcano to Level III (Alert) and advised residents and visitors to stay at least 5 km from the crater. Communities were warned of possible lahars during heavy rain and instructed to wear masks to avoid inhaling volcanic ash. The head of the National Disaster Management Agency visited temporary shelters in Flores Timur to monitor recovery and address residents' needs.