Eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki easing, dangers remain

East Flores, East Nusa Tenggar (ANTARA) - The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) reported that the intensity of volcanic activity on Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara has begun to decrease, although cold lava floods pose a risk.

"Based on observation during the period of January 16-22, 2024, the intensity of volcanic activities has declined," PVMBG Head Hendra Gunawan noted in a statement from his office on Thursday.

He stated that last week's evaluation showed that the number of earthquakes in the volcano had been dominated by surface tremors, thereby hinting at volcanic materials having moved to the crater.

He remarked that the supply of magma had also declined, as evidenced by a decrease in the frequency of deep volcanic tremors. He pointed to a decline in the number of gust tremors and the height of smoke columns.

He also pointed out that the coverage distance of hot cloud avalanches had been down, from around two kilometers to only one kilometer on average.

However, he highlighted that the frequency of avalanche tremors had tended to increase, pointing to the potential for a high level of frequency of hot cloud avalanches.

Gunawan elaborated on the number of tremors recorded during the said period, saying that Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki had experienced 227 eruption tremors and 40 hot cloud avalanche tremors.

Additionally, three shallow volcanic tremors, 12 deep volcanic tremors, two local tectonic earthquakes, and continued tremors with amplitudes ranging from 2.9 to 47.3 were recorded.

During the period, three shallow volcanic tremors, 12 deep volcanic tremors, two local tectonic earthquakes, and continued tremors with amplitudes of 2.9-47.3, were also recorded at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, he added.

He underscored that the PVMBG had not lowered the volcano's danger level from the highest level, IV, while advising people against conducting any activities within a radius of five kilometers from the eruption center.

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"Beware of cold lava floods flowing through rivers that are connected to the peak of the mountain, especially during torrential rains," he emphasized.

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Lewotobi in Flores Island is a twin volcano composed of two peaks: Lewotobi Laki-Laki (Male Lewotobi) and Lewotobi Perempuan (Female Lewotobi). The latter is less active than its counterpart.