On Friday evening, August 1st, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in eastern Indonesia erupted once again, spewing a volcanic ash column as high as 10,000 meters. The volcano has been on the highest alert level since mid-June.
According to the Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG), on Friday evening at 20:48 local time, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted violently, with a large amount of magma flowing out, generating a thick ash cloud shooting up to 10,000 meters into the sky for 220 seconds.
Photos shared by the Indonesian Geological Agency showed a massive red lava flow and ash cloud from the volcano accompanied by fierce lightning, illuminating the night sky with a spectacular yet terrifying sight.
It is known that intense volcanic eruptions often come with dramatic lightning activity, known as “volcanic lightning”. The principle behind this phenomenon is similar to common lightning, caused by interactions between particles of opposite charges leading to discharge. During a volcanic eruption, substances like volcanic ash and rock fragments are ejected into the air, where friction and collision generate static electricity, resulting in lightning.
Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center, stated, “The residents living around the volcano are increasingly understanding how to minimize the damage and impact caused by disasters because the volcanic eruptions have become more frequent since the end of 2023.”
Local authorities urge nearby residents to maintain a distance of at least 6 to 7 kilometers from the volcano rim and remain vigilant for possible volcanic mudflow risks during heavy rainfall.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted multiple times in recent months, including a major eruption on July 7th, when it ejected volcanic ash up to 18,000 meters, leading to the cancellation of at least 24 flights to and from the popular vacation destination of Bali.
Since the eruption on June 18th, the Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Hazard Research Agency raised the alert level of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki to the highest level, Level 4, and expanded the danger zone to 8 kilometers around the volcano rim.
Standing at 1,703 meters above sea level, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki is a twin-peaked volcano located in the eastern part of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, which has been showing frequent activity since the end of 2023.
Indonesia, situated within the Ring of Fire, is one of the countries with the highest density of volcanoes worldwide, boasting over 120 active volcanoes, with volcanic activity and earthquake frequency ranking highest globally.