Alert Status, Lewotobi Volcano in East Flores Volcanic Earthquake

Mount Api Lewotobi Perempuan Dan Laki-laki Di Flores Timur, NTT yang naik status dari Normal ke Alert. (ANTARA/Personal Documentation)

NTT - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) advises climbers not to carry out activities or stay within a radius of 2 kilometers (km) from the center of the crater

The Female Lewotobi and Male Lewotobi Volcanoes in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have risen from level I or Normal to level II or Alert. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) advises climbers to stay within a radius of 2 kilometers (km) from the center of the crater.

"We urge climbers not to climb into the mountain crater or carry out activities up to two kilometers from the mountain crater," said the Head of the Volcano Monitoring and Land Movement Mitigation Center for the Nusa Tenggara Region, Zakarias Raja from Nagekeo Regency, Monday, December 18, as reported by Antara.

The increase in status was influenced by an increase in magma activity as indicated by a significant increase in the frequency of volcanic earthquakes.

From the evaluation until December 17 2023, there were deep volcanic and shallow volcanic earthquakes accompanied by the appearance of Tornilo earthquakes which indicated fluid movement.

Due to this condition, Zakarias advised the public, especially climbers, not to approach the crater at the top of the mountain.

He emphasized this so that people are kept away from the potential dangers of eruptions in the form of volcanic ash, hot clouds and toxic gases that come out.

Staying away from volcanoes with a radius of 2 km, he said, is the mitigation that must be done now when the mountain has Alert level II status to avoid danger.

"We can determine the movement of magma from magma sources through the frequency of volcanic earthquakes, but the speed of sudden movement of magma in the bowels of the earth is very difficult to anticipate, so if it suddenly erupts it is difficult to avoid it," he said.

With the increase in volcano status, now the number of volcanoes with Alert level in NTT is four volcanoes, namely Ile Lewotolok in Lembata, Inielika in Ngada, and Lewotobi Perempuan and Pria in East Flores.

Even though he has risen in status, he still urges the public to remain calm and not believe in rumors whose source is unclear.

The level of volcanic activity will also be evaluated periodically if significant changes in activity occur.