Eruption As High As 700 Meters Occurs At The Peak Of Mount Ile Lewotolok

Mount Ile Lewotolok. ANTARA/Kornelis Kaha

KUPANG - The Ile Lewotolok Volcano Monitoring Post on Lembata Island, Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), reported an eruption with an eruption height of 700 meters occurring on the mountain.

"The eruption was accompanied by a weak and moderate roar," said Head of the Ile Lewotolok Volcano Monitoring Post, Stanis Arakian, quoted by Antara, Monday, June 6.

He said the 700-meter-high eruption released material in the form of sand and created white and gray smoke at the top of the mountain.

Visually, he said, weakly pressured crater smoke was observed to be white and gray with thin to medium intensity and 100-700 meters high above the crater peak.

Meanwhile, the earthquake, he said, only had one eruption with an amplitude of 17.3 millimeters and a duration of 83 seconds.

"Currently, the status is still on standby, or level III," he said.

In the level III or standby activity level, people around the mountain as well as visitors, climbers or tourists are recommended not to carry out activities within a three km radius of the peak or crater of the mountain.

Meanwhile, the 3.5 km radius applies to the East and Southeast sectors so that you are always vigilant.

Several villagers in Ile Ape Subdistrict such as in Jontona Village, Lamawolo Village, and Lamatokan Village to always be aware of the potential threat of incandescent lava and hot clouds from the eastern part of the mountain peak.

Moreover, some time ago there was an overflow of lava which it was feared would continue to fall because the area was overflowing.

He also recommended that considering the potential dangers of volcanic ash which can cause respiratory problems (ARI) and other health problems, the people living around the mountains should prepare masks covering their nose and mouth as well as other equipment to protect their eyes and skin.

"Volcanic ash has so far fallen in several sectors around Mount Ile Lewotolok, so people who live around rivers that originate at the top of the mountain to be aware of the threat of lahars, especially during the rainy season," he said.