The Explosive Eruption Of Mount Ile Lewotolok Is Still Ongoing

Visual Ile Lewotolok Volcano in Lembata, NTT, Saturday (25/5/2024) at 05.02 WITA. (ANTARA/HO-Badan Geological)

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said the eruption activity or explosive eruption of the Ile Lewotolok Fire Monument in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) was still ongoing.

"Until now, the eruption or explosive eruption is still ongoing with the dominant incandescent lava coverage still around the crater area, but it can also reach about 500 meters out of the crater," said Head of the Ile Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post Jeffry Pugel as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 25.

Based on observations, the eruption and gusts of smoke were observed to be still high.

This is related to the activity of shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes that show an increase when compared to the previous one week period, including continuous tremors that are still recorded with the average amplitude increasing.

"The emergence of these volcanic earthquakes indicates that there is still an increase in pressure on the mountain body related to the supply of shallow and deep magmatic fluid," said Jeffry.

Based on the results of a thorough analysis, the level of activity of Mount Ile Lewotolok is still maintained at Level III or Alert.

For this reason, the Geological Agency recommends that people, visitors, climbers, and tourists do not enter and do not carry out activities within a 2 km radius of the mountain activity center.

The people of Lamatokan Village and Jontona Village are asked to always be aware of the potential threat of avalanches, lava avalanches and hot clouds from the eastern part of the crater.

As for the people of Jontona Village and Todonara Village, he appealed not to enter and not to carry out activities in the southern and southeast sectoral areas as far as 3 km from the center of mountain activity, and to be aware of the potential threat of avalanches or avalanches of lava and hot clouds from the south and southeast.

"Then the people of Amakaka Village should not enter and not carry out activities in the western sector as far as 3 km from the center of mountain activity," he said.