A new eruption showed up from one of two peaks of the volcano complex this morning – Lewotobi Lakilaki.
At 07:14 local time, the explosion generated a dense black ash column, which reached 11,000 ft (3,400 m) elevation and extended to the north of the volcano.
The volcano observatory reported a seismic signal with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm and a duration of 1440 seconds.
The explosive eruption followed the increased seismic activity during the first half of December as the seismic station detected about 130 volcano-tectonic earthquakes by 17 December.
People are advised to avoid an area of about 2 km from main craters.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi volcano activity update 23 December 2023
Lewotobi volcano at the eastern end of Flores Island is one of the most frequently active volcanoes in the region. It has two peaks arranged on a NW-SE line separated by 2 km and a 1232 m high saddle. This gave the twin volcano its name Lewotobi „husband and wife“ (also spelled Lewetobi).
The two peaks correspond to the Lewotobi Lakilaki and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes. Lewotobi Lakilaki (1584 m) has a summit crater of 400 m diameter open to the north. Lewotobi Perampuan (1703 m)’s crater is 700 m wide.