Mount Lewotobi's Decreased Volcanic Activity Indicates Potential Short-Term Stability, Says Geological Agency

7 hours ago 3

September 14, 2025 | 10:11 am

An ash column erupted from the crater of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, as seen from East Flores Regency, NTT, on August 18, 2025. Antara/Gregorio J Gilbert

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources suspects the presence of a new eruption path at Mount Lewotobi, a male volcano. Observations conducted by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) team on the volcano located in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), found smoke coming out of cracks on the northwest side.

"This indicates the presence of a weak zone with the potential to become a new eruption path," said the Head of the Geological Agency, Muhammad Wafid, in a statement shared on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

According to Wafid, the volcanic activity of the 1,584-meter-high volcano above sea level tends to be decreasing. He mentioned that the indicators include reduced emissions and a decrease in the smoke column height.

Meanwhile, the seismic activity of the cone-shaped volcano is still fluctuating with a high number of non-harmonic tremor earthquakes and deep volcanic earthquakes. "Magma supply is still ongoing, although it tends to decrease," he said.

From September 11 to 13, 2025, Mount Lewotobi experienced four avalanche earthquakes, five emission earthquakes, 69 non-harmonic tremor earthquakes, 14 deep volcanic earthquakes, two local tectonic earthquakes, and 14 distant tectonic earthquakes. "Avalanches occurred, but visually, the distance and direction of the slide were not observed," he added.

Deformation monitoring using a tiltmeter in the last five days showed a significant decrease, indicating potential short-term stability. According to the Geological Agency, this indicates the migration of magma to shallower depths.

Based on PVMBG monitoring data, the Geological Agency still classifies Mount Lewotobi as alert, or Level IV. Wafid urged the public, tourists, and climbers not to engage in activities within a six-kilometer radius from the eruption center, as well as within a seven-kilometer sector in the northwest-northeast direction. "Remain calm, follow the instructions of local authorities, and do not trust information from unreliable sources.

Editor's Choice: 2 Tornillo Earthquakes Reveal Latest Conditions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki

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