Mount Ili Lewotolok Eruption With Abu As High As One Kilometer

Sprinkles of volcanic ash coming out of the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok on Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Monday (19/2/2024). BETWEEN/HO-PVMBG

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported an eruption that spewed volcanic ash as high as approximately one kilometer out of the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

Mount Ili Lewotolok Observation Post officer Yeremias Kristianto Pugel said the eruption occurred at 16.39 WITA with a column of ash heading southeast.

"The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 35.6 millimeters and a duration of 67 seconds," he said in a report quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 19.

Yeremias appealed to the public not to enter and not to carry out activities within a two-kilometer radius of the center of volcanic activity.

Meanwhile, for people in Lamawolo Village, Lamatokan Village, and Jontona Village, they should always be aware of the potential threat of danger from avalanches and lava avalanches and hot clouds from the eastern part of the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok.

According to him, to avoid respiratory problems or other health problems caused by volcanic ash, people can use mouth and nose protection masks and other equipment to protect their eyes and skin.

"People who live around valleys or rivers that head up at the top of Mount Ili Lewotolok to always be aware of potential threats of lava that can occur, especially during the rainy season," concluded Yeremias.

Based on seismic observations made by PVMBG in the period from 00.00 to 24.00 WITA, February 18, 2024, Mount Ili Lewotolok was recorded to have experienced seven eruptions.

PVMBG also recorded 314 earthquake gusts, 3 non-harmonic tremors, 1 deep volcanic earthquake, and 2 distant tectonic earthquakes.

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

The volcano has an altitude of 1,423 meters or 4,669 feet above sea level. The top of the mountain has a large crater resembling a sickle-shaped caldera called Metong Lamataro by local residents.