Lewotobi Lakilaki volcano (Flores, Indonesia): increasing activity sent alert level to Level 3

Gas and ash emissions release from the fissure in the vicinity of the summit of Lewotobi Lakilaki volcano (image: PVMBG)

The activity of the volcano has been intensifying over the past several days.
A significant flank fissure, about 160 meters long, on the northwestern side of the summit followed the new eruptive period at the volcano on 23 December. New fissures have been widening gradually in the northeast direction. On 1 January, the location of the eruptive activity has shifted and eruptions started to occur from a south-southeast summit fissure.
Earthquakes have been more frequent under the volcano during the last month. Moreover, Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement (RSAM) detection continues at elevated levels, including periods of high amplitude tremor.
Thus, a decision has been made to rise the alert level for the volcano from Level II (Waspada) to Level III (Siaga). Due to the alert level rise, the exclusion zone around the main crater extended from 2 to 3 km radius. People are advised to avoid the exclusion zone due to potential hazards of pyroclastic flows with sliding distance of up to 4 km to the north, northwest, south and southwest.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi volcano activity update 1 January 2024

Near-constant ash emissions from Lewotobi Lakilaki volcano on 1 January (source: PVMBG)