Mount Ili Lewotolok NTT Erupted Ash 500 Meters High, Residents Asked to Use Masks

PVMBG recorded eruption activity in the form of ejecting 500 meters of volcanic ash on Mount Ili Lewotolok, East Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday (25/10/2023). (ANTARA/)

JAKARTA - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) reported that there had been an eruption in the form of volcanic ash approximately 500 meters high on Mount Ili Lewotolok which is located on Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT).

Mount Ili Lewotolok Observation Post officer, Fajaruddin Balido, in a report received in Jakarta Wednesday, October 25, said that the eruption occurred at 05.55 a.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA).

"The ash column was observed to be gray in color with thick intensity towards the west," said Fajaruddin, quoted by ANTARA.

Fajaruddin said that the eruption was recorded via seismograph with a duration of 45 seconds and a maximum amplitude of 36.6 millimeters.

Mount Ili Lewotolok is a stratovolcano located in the northern part of Lembata Island, Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

The volcano has a height of 1,423 meters or 4,669 feet above sea level. The peak of the mountain has a large crater resembling the crescent-shaped caldera that local residents call Lamataro.

From January 1 to October 25, 2023, Mount Ili Lewotolok is the most frequently erupting volcano with the number of eruptions recorded 78 times.

PVMBG asked the people in Lamawolo Village, Lamatokan Village and Jontona Village to always be aware of potential dangers from lava avalanches and avalanches and hot clouds from the eastern part of the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok.

In order to avoid respiratory problems (ARI) and other health problems caused by volcanic ash, PVMBG urges people living around the volcano to use masks to protect their mouth and nose and other equipment to protect their eyes and skin.

The public is also asked to use protective masks for the mouth and nose and other equipment that can protect the eyes and skin to avoid respiratory problems and other health problems due to volcanic ash.