Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted dramatically at 5:35 PM local time on Tuesday, launching ash plumes 11 kilometres into the atmosphere and triggering significant disruption across the region. The eruption, visible from space, caused cancelled flights at Bali’s Denpasar International Airport, affecting numerous domestic and international routes, including those to Jakarta, Lombok, Australia, China, Malaysia, and New Zealand.
The ash cloud has enveloped nearby areas, reaching as far as 93 kilometres from the volcano, prompting evacuations in two villages and establishing an exclusion zone of 8 kilometres around the crater. Authorities are also concerned about heavy rainfall, which could lead to dangerous lava flows in local rivers.
The ash contains rock, crystal, and glass fragments, posing a serious risk to aircraft, as these materials can cause erosion and potentially melt in engines, leading to catastrophic failures if airflow is obstructed.
The Lewotobi volcano is experiencing heightened volcanic activity, having recorded 50 events in just two hours—far above the usual 8 to 10 daily occurrences. Following its eruption on Tuesday, another ash plume was reported to have emerged the following morning.
Tourism has been heavily impacted, with estimates indicating over a thousand tourists are affected by travel disruptions, particularly those intending to visit Bali and Komodo National Park. Local tour operators are coping with the consequences, with one agency reporting that cancellations will impact a large number of holidaymakers.
This recent eruption is a continuation of the volcano’s turbulent history, with significant activity previously reported in May and a prior incident in November that led to casualties and widespread evacuations. Indonesia, an archipelago with 270 million residents, is home to 120 active volcanoes and frequently experiences seismic events, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by its dynamic geological landscape.