The Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano in Indonesia erupted on Monday, sending ash soaring higher than its previous eruptions and prompting a maximum alert. Fortunately, there are currently no reports of casualties.
Major Eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Creates Massive Ash Cloud
Major Eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Creates Massive Ash Cloud
A recent eruption in Indonesia has caused a significant ash cloud to rise 11 miles into the atmosphere, surpassing previous eruptions from the same volcano.
On Monday, July 7, 2025, an eruption from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Flores Island, Indonesia, generated an impressive ash cloud reaching approximately 11 miles into the sky. This elevation starkly contrasts with the three-mile-high ash plume that resulted from a prior eruption at the same volcano just last month. The Indonesian national volcanic agency indicated that the eruption lasted around six minutes and was followed by several additional eruptions later in the day.
The recent eruption was notable not only for its immense ash cloud but also for its heightened alert status, currently classified as the top tier on a four-scale system. Previous eruptions at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki have been deadly; an incident in November last year resulted in the loss of at least ten lives, with the ash cloud from that eruption measuring just over a mile high.
Despite concerns, there were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities from the eruption on Monday, allowing authorities some relief as they monitor the situation. The geographical positioning of Flores Island, located significantly east of the popular tourist destinations Bali and the populous island of Java, provides some buffer against potential tourist impacts.
For additional perspective, while the latest eruption's ash plume is striking, it remains a fraction—less than one-third—of the height of the astonishing 35-mile volcanic eruption that occurred in Tonga three years ago, which produced a towering cloud comprised of water vapor, volcanic gases, and ash.
As communities in and around Flores Island remain vigilant, the eruption serves as a reminder of Indonesia's geological activity and the ongoing need for preparedness in the face of natural disasters. Mike Ives reports on the developments from Seoul, keenly observing how this situation unfolds.
