Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki unleashed two explosive eruptions on Monday, July 7, sending a massive ash column as high as 19.6 km (63,000 feet) above sea level—the highest since its deadly November 2024 eruption—and prompting authorities to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red.
The volcano, located on Flores Island, remains at Alert Level IV, the highest alert status, with a 7 km (4.3 miles) exclusion zone in effect due to ongoing threats from pyroclastic flows, lava, and lahars.
Dual Eruptions Shake the Region
Indonesia’s Geological Agency reported that the first and more powerful eruption occurred just after 11:00 a.m. local time (03:05 UTC), while a second eruption followed at approximately 7:30 p.m. (11:00 UTC). Both events expelled hot ash and volcanic debris, blanketing nearby villages and disrupting air travel across Southeast Asia.
The first eruption triggered pyroclastic flows up to 5 km (3 miles) down the slopes, spewing hot gas, ash, and rock at extreme speeds. Lava filled the crater, according to drone observations, signaling deep magma movement and explaining the sudden and powerful explosive activity.
The second eruption sent ash clouds up to 13 km (8 miles) high and further aggravated conditions for residents in affected areas.
1️⃣ Gunung Lewotobi meletus lagi hari ini
— Alex (@alexjourneys_) July 7, 2025
2️⃣ Hujan abu di Labuan Bajo
3️⃣ Banyak flight sore cancel di LBJ (Komodo Airport Labuan Bajo) pic.twitter.com/1EKC7vqZGv
Villages Covered in Ash, Flights Canceled
Ashfall blocked sunlight for nearly 30 minutes in nearby communities. Villages downwind—including Boru—were showered with thumb-sized gravel and ash, coating rooftops and roads and forcing some residents to flee under clouds of falling debris. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed houses covered up to their rooftops and mushroom-shaped ash clouds dominating the skyline.
The falling ash and visibility concerns caused the cancellation of at least 24 international flights between Bali and destinations in Australia, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as four domestic routes, according to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Although operations continued at the airport, officials confirmed that airspace monitoring remains ongoing.
No Casualties, But Warnings Remain
As of the latest reports, no casualties or injuries have been confirmed. However, officials warn that heavy rainfall in the region could trigger dangerous lava flows (lahars) down rivers originating from the volcano.
Authorities also noted that the eruption’s intensity was partly due to a magma blockage, which built up pressure over time while masking seismic warning signs.
“This eruption ranks among Indonesia’s most powerful volcanic events since the 2010 Mount Merapi disaster,” said Muhammad Wafid, head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency. “We are reassessing the current danger zone and may expand the exclusion area.”
Lewotobi Laki-laki belum berhenti erupsi, malam ini (Senin, 07/07) pukul 19:35 WITA erupsi kembali terjadi disertai bunyi dentuman dan kolom abu ~ 13.000 m.
— Abdul Muhari (@abdulmuhari) July 7, 2025
Masyarakat aman, tidak ada korban, huntara sdh dihuni oleh ~500KK, dan pembangunan akses jln ke huntap berproses. pic.twitter.com/91qVg9mo7p
Context: A Volatile History and Active Year
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki stands at 1,584 meters (5,197 feet) and is part of the Lewotobi twin volcano system, alongside its “female” counterpart, Lewotobi Perempuan. It lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region that includes over 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia.
This week’s event marks the third major eruption at Lewotobi Laki-laki in 2025, following previous episodes in March and May. The volcano has remained on high alert since June 18, with frequent eruptions prompting expanded safety measures.
The government continues to distribute masks, maintain evacuation readiness, and issue public warnings amid concerns about further eruptions or aftershocks.
