PVMBG: Volcanic Activity Of Mount Lewotobi Male In Flotim Decreases Visually And Introduction

Visual Mount Lewotobi Male, East Flores, NTT, Thursday (25/1/2024). (ANTARA/HO-PVMBG)

KUPANG - Head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) Hendra Gunawan said that the volcanic activity of Mount Lewotobi Male in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), showed visual and seismic decline. "During the period January 16-22, 2024, it shows a decrease in both visual and seismic activity," said Hendra in an official statement received in Wulanggitang, East Flores, Antara, Thursday, January 25. Based on the evaluation carried out in the last week, the earthquakes were dominated by surface earthquakes that indicated material from the inside had gone to the crater hole and some had already come out of the crater or fracture. Deep volcanic earthquakes have decreased from the previous period, indicating that the supply of magma from the inside has also decreased. Earthquake gusts and smoke column height also decreased. However, different things are indicated by earthquake avalanches which tend to increase. With the increase in earthquake avalanches, it is feared that a greater potential for hot clouds can still occur. The next evaluation is that the sliding distance of hot clouds of avalanches decreased from the previous one which became a sliding distance of up to 2 kilometers (km) to an average of about 1 km. The avalanches of hot clouds and lava also still lead to the north-east and northeastern sectors. Meanwhile, lava flows in the northeastern sector are observed to still experience movement even though the speed is getting slower. "The RSAM and SO2 data as well as deformation showed a decrease in the value and deflation on the surface at the top of the mountain," he said. He further detailed the types of earthquakes recorded during that period, including 227 eruption/eruption earthquakes, 40 avalanche hot cloud earthquakes, 480 avalanches, 29 harmonic earthquakes, three non-harmonic tremors, and 644 low-frequency earthquakes. Furthermore, three shallow volcanic earthquakes, 12 volcanic earthquakes, two local tectonics, two distant tectonics, and continuous tremors with an amplitude of 2.9 to 47.3 mm (47.3 mm dominant). In connection with various existing observations and evaluations, PVMBG still maintains the level of activity of Mount Lewotobi Men at Level IV (Awas).

The recommendation given to the community is not to carry out any activities within a radius of 5 km from the eruption center and sectoral 6 km to the northeast. "Be aware of the potential for rain lava flooding in rivers that originate at the top of the mountain in the event of high-intensity rain," said Hendra.