Geological Agency: Men's Lewotobi Mountain Activities Are Still High

Mount Lewotobi Male located in Wulanggitang District, East Flores Regency (Flotim), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). BETWEEN/Gecio Viana

LABUAN BAJO Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that the activities of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), are still high and set at Level IV or Alert.

Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid said that people and tourists are prohibited from doing activities within a six-kilometer radius from the eruption center, as well as seven sectoral kilometers in the northwest to the northeast.

"There was an eruption with a height of 1,000'3,000 meters from the summit, the column of ash from the eruption was gray, there was an avalanche, but the distance and direction of the glide were not observed," Wafid said in a special report received in Labuan Bajo, Antara, Sunday, September 21.

Based on observations for the period 2021 September 2025 at 12.00 WITA, 25 earthquakes were recorded, six avalanches, 33 gusts, three harmonic earthquakes, three non-harmonic tremors, 13 low-frequency earthquakes, four deep volcanic earthquakes, one local tectonic earthquake, four distant tectonic earthquakes, and three continuous tremors.

Wafid explained that seismic activity was dominated by earthquake eruptions, low frequencies, and continuous tremors with significant amplitudes. Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement (RSAM) in the past week showed fluctuations with a high tendency to stay high, indicating magma supply was still active.

"The cumulative energy pattern of seismicity also shows an increase, indicating accumulated pressure in the magmatic system," he said.

Meanwhile, tiltmeter data in the last five to seven days shows an increasingly clear inflation trend, indicating the mountain body is experiencing a congestion due to the supply of new magma. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data also strengthens the consistent increase in vertical components.

"This pattern indicates magma migration to shallower depths so that potential eruptions are still possible," said Wafid.

The Geological Agency also reminded the public to remain calm, follow local government directions, and not believe unclear issues. The people around Mount Lewotobi Laki were asked to be aware of the potential for rain lava flooding in rivers that originate at the top of the mountain, especially in Dulipali Village, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nu Selapolen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote.

In addition, people affected by ash rain are asked to wear masks or mouth coverings to avoid the dangers of volcanic ash in the respiratory system.