Flights suspended following volcano's explosive eruption, spewing vast cloud of scorching ash in Indonesia
Erupting Volcano in Indonesia Unleashes Ash Clouds and Disrupts Flights
The Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in Indonesia recently experienced severe volcanic activity, producing towering ash clouds that encroached the skies.
On Tuesday afternoon, an explosive eruption sent a 6.8 miles-tall mushroom-shaped ash cloud into the air, covering cities up to 90 miles away in the East Nusa Tenggara province with the disturbing sight.
The volcanic discharge forced authorities to escalate the alert level of the mountain to the most dangerous and warn of heavy rainfall causing rivers originating from the volcano to trigger lava flows. The danger zone was expanded to five miles from the crater, taking into account recent volcanic activity.
Despite the alarming situation, no casualties have been reported so far. The eruption has caused travel chaos, with several flights from India, Singapore, and Australia to Bali getting canceled by airlines like Singapore Airlines, its budget subsidiary Scoot, and Qantas' Jetstar.
The Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport in Maumere, situated in the East Nusa Tenggara province, remains closed until Thursday due to the volcanic eruption.
Interestingly, Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki is a twin volcano that shares the Flores Timur district with its counterpart, Mount Lewotobi Perempuan. Being part of Indonesia's 120 active volcanoes along the Ring of Fire, the pair frequently experience seismic activity.
- Intriguing Insights: Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki last erupted in May of the same year, with authorities raising the alert level to the most severe. In November 2024, an eruption tragically claimed at least 10 lives[1][2].
More eruptions were recorded in March, causing flight disruptions and cancellations for flights to Bali[1][2]. During both recent incidents in June, ash plumes rose more than 10 kilometers (6.8 miles) and 5 kilometers (3 miles), respectively[1].
Visitors are advised to exercise caution due to the active status of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, as flight delays or cancellations are possible, and nearby communities might face ashfall hazards. Keeping updated with announcements from Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and local authorities is essential for anyone planning to explore eastern Indonesia, particularly around Flores Island[1][2].
References: 1. BBC News. (2025, June 19). Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts again. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57617768 2. CNN. (2025, June 19). Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts twice in two days. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/world/asia/indonesia-mount-lewotobi-laki-laki-volcano-erupts/index.html
In the wake of the recent ash cloud disruptions caused by Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki's eruption, one might ponder the potential correlation between such volcanic events and the increasing disruptions to environmental-science, particularly regarding weather patterns. If past eruptions are any indication, further conflicts could arise between travel and tourism industries and the unpredictable war of nature that Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki seems to wage periodically.
