Mount Ili Lewotolok Eruption Lontarkan Abu As High As 1,000 Meters

The volcanic ash column soared out of the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok on Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Monday (26/2/2024). BETWEEN/HO-PVMBG

JAKARTA - Mount Ili Lewotolok, which is located on Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara, experienced an eruption and ejected volcanic ash as high as approximately 1,000 meters from the crater of the active volcano.

Mount Ili Lewotolok Observation Post officer Stanislaus Ara Kian said the eruption occurred at 16.50 WITA with a column of gray thick ash heading west.

"The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 34.2 millimeters and a duration of 50 seconds," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 26.

Mount Ili Lewotolok is a type A strato volcano whose activities have been recorded since 1660. Currently, the activity level of Mount Ili Lewotolok is at level II or alert as of October 15, 2023.

On February 24, 2024, PVMBG expanded the recommended distance due to the increase in seismic energy plus a new lava flow.

PVMBG urges the public not to enter and not to carry out activities within a two-kilometer radius of the activity center of Mount Ili Lewotolok.

For the people of Lamawolo Village, Lamatokan Village, and Jontona Village to always be aware of the potential threat of avalanche/longsoran of lava and hot clouds from the eastern part of the peak or crater.

The public is also advised not to enter and carry out activities within the southern and southeast sectors as far as three kilometers from the activity center.

The potential threat of avalanches or lava avalanches and hot clouds from the south and southeast of the peak also needs to be watched out for by the public, including being aware of lava floods that can occur during the rainy season.