Mount Ili Lewotolok 2 Times Eruption, Residents Asked Not To Approach Crater

PVMBG recorded the eruption activity that occurred on Mount Ili Lewotolok located in the northern part of Lembata Island, Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday (3/10/2023), at 17.52 WITA. (ANTARA/HO-PVMBG)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) asked the public not to approach the crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok located in the northern part of Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara, because today there have been two eruptions recorded.

"People around Mount Ili Lewotolok as well as visitors, climbers, and tourists should not enter and do not carry out activities within a two-kilometer radius of the activity center," said Mount Ili Lewotolok Monitoring Post Officer, Syawaludin, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 3.

PVMBG noted that the first eruption occurred at 06.01 WITA. The height of the eruption column is approximately 600 meters with thick volcanic ash white to gray towards the west.

The eruption was recorded through a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 35.2 millimeters and a duration of 55 seconds.

Then, the second eruption occurred at 17.52 WITA with an eruptive column of approximately 700 meters. The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity to the west.

The maximum amplitude of the eruption recorded via seismogram is 33.6 millimeters with a duration of 50 seconds.

Syawaludin asked people in Lamawolo Village, Lamatokan Village, and Jontona Village to 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.

The public is also asked to use mouth and nose protection masks as well as other equipment that can protect the eyes and skin to avoid respiratory problems and other health problems due to volcanic ash.

"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 Syawaludin.