Lewotobi is a twin volcano located in the southeastern part of the island of Flores, Indonesia. It has two peaks: the Lewotobi Laki-laki (Male Lewotobi) and Lewotobi Perempuan (Female Lewotobi) stratovolcanoes and a prominent flank cone, Lewotobi Iliwokar, lies on the eastern flank of Lewotobi Perampuan. The more active Lewotobi Laki-laki is about 2.1km (1.3mi) northwest of the taller Lewotobi Perempuan.
Older forms of its name include Lobetabi,[1]Lovotivo[1] and Loby Toby.[2]
Cultural and Nomenclature Notes
The names Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan reflect local traditions, with the volcanoes regarded as a symbolic pair, often described as "husband and wife." Older names for the complex include Lobetabi, Lovotivo, and Loby Toby.[3]
Geology
Lewotobi's twin peaks are classic stratovolcanoes, formed by successive layers of lava, ash, and volcanic debris. The volcanoes are part of the Lesser Sunda Islands volcanic arc, which is shaped by the subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate. The region is seismically active, with frequent tectonic and volcanic earthquakes.[4][3]
On 4 November, the volcano spewed molten debris at several villages some 4km (2.5mi) away, destroying homes and killing nine people.[6][7] The Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation recommended that a 7km (4.3mi) radius around the volcano be evacuated.[8] Seven villages were affected by the eruption.[9] A larger eruption occurred on 7 November.[10] On 8 November, the volcano erupted several times, at one time bearing an ash plume with a height reaching 10 km (6.2 mi).[11] On 9 November, it erupted again, and the authorities scrambled to evacuate approximately 16,000 people from nearby villages.[12] The eruption caused flight disruptions in Bali and the cancellation of a jazz festival in Labuan Bajo.[13]
2025
On 21 March, Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, sending ash clouds over 8km (5.0mi) high. Authorities raised the alert to the highest level, and Jetstar canceled some flights to Bali. The eruption followed smaller ones since 13 March. One person was injured during the evacuations, although the details reported were unclear. Bali airport remained open, but seven international flights were canceled. The geological agency warned of lava floods and continued activity.[14][15]
Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted again on 18 May, prompting authorities to raise Indonesia's highest volcanic alert level.[16]
Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted on 17 June, sending ash clouds 11km (6.8mi) high, prompting authorities to raise Indonesia's highest volcanic alert level again, with a plume visible from a distance of 90km (56mi) to 150km (93mi).[17][18][19] Multiple flights were cancelled due to the amount volcanic ash released into the atmosphere.[20]
Two major eruptions occurred on 7 July, ejecting debris as far as 8km (5.0mi) away and producing pyroclastic flows that reached 5km (3.1mi) from the crater and an ash cloud 13km (8.1mi) high. At least 24 flights were cancelled in Bali.[21] One person was injured after being hit by a motorcycle during evacuations, and another person was hospitalized due to shortage of breath.[22] Further eruptions occurred on 8 July[23] and 1 August.[24] An eruption happened again on 2 August sending volcanic material 18 kilometres (11 miles) into the air, however no casualties have been reported.[25] Tremors from the eruption have been recorded on seismic monitors, with the eruption being one of Indonesia's biggest since Mount Merapi's eruption in 2010.[25]
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