Eruption shakes Indonesian Volcano

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, located in Indonesia, has erupted.

As one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, it erupted for the second day in a row, sending thick ash clouds as high as 18 kilometres into the sky. The volcano is located on the island of Flores, and nearby villages were quickly blanketed in ash and debris. Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported.

The eruption began Friday evening and continued into Saturday. At one point, the volcano shot lava and glowing rocks into the air, lighting up the night sky with flashes of volcanic lightning. In just five hours, it erupted twice, surprising both scientists and local residents.

Indonesia’s Geology Agency reported that hot gas, rocks, and lava raced down the mountain slopes for up to 5 kilometres. Pieces of volcanic gravel, some as big as a thumb, were found as far as 8 kilometres away from the crater.

People living nearby have been warned to watch out for rain, which could mix with ash and trigger dangerous lava flows in rivers. Drones flying over the area also spotted deep magma movements under the volcano, which caused strong earth tremors.

This was one of the strongest eruptions in Indonesia since Mount Merapi erupted in 2010, which killed over 350 people. It also came just weeks after another eruption on July 7 delayed many flights in Bali and covered roads and rice fields with grey mud.

Indonesia has over 120 active volcanoes and sits on the “Ring of Fire,” a zone known for frequent earthquakes and eruptions.