Geological Agency: Men's Lewotobi Volcano Activities In NTT Are Still High

Photo: Doc. Antara

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that the results of visual and instrumental analysis showed that the activities of the Lewotobi Laki Volcano in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), were still relatively high.

"Therefore, the level of volcanic activity is still set at Level IV (Awas)," said Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid in a statement in Labuan Bajo, quoted by Antara, Saturday, May 24.

In the period 22 May 2025 from 12.00 to 23 May 2025 at 18.00 WITA, said Wafid, it was recorded that Mount Lewotobi Laki once experienced an eruption with an eruption column height of 300 meters above the peak.

Seen gusts of smoke with weak to moderate white pressure around the crater with an altitude of 500'700 meters above the peak.

"The roar was not heard, nor was the light not visible," he said.

Furthermore, the seismic recordings that occurred in that time range were one eruption earthquake, 12 gusts, 24 harmonic earthquakes, 31 internal volcanic earthquakes, occasionally local tectonics, and eight distant tectonic earthquakes.

From the seismic data, he continued, there are indications of a decrease in surface activity. However, supply from depth is still visible, which is marked by an increase in deep volcanic earthquakes, but the dominant amplitude is small.

Meanwhile, tiltmeter data shows a decline, which indicates pressure from the inside to the stability.

From the drone's visuals, it can be seen that there is lava material at the bottom of the crater of Mount Lewotobi Laki.

"If there is an eruption that dismantling lava, it will be explosive with great energy," he said.

Because the activity level of Mount Lewotobi Male is still Level IV (Awas), his party appealed to the public and tourists not to carry out activities within a 6 km radius and the west-east sector as far as 7 km from the eruption center.

"Stay calm and follow directions from local governments," he said.

The public is also asked not to trust information with unclear sources.

In addition, people around disaster-prone areas should be aware of the potential for lava flooding in the event of heavy rains, especially in watersheds that originate at the peak of Mount Lewotobi Laki such as in Dulipali, Nobo, Hokeng Jaya, and Nu Selapolen.

He also appealed to residents affected by ash rain to wear masks or nasal and mouth coverings to protect the respiratory tract.