Sky-scraping ash column ejected from Indonesian volcano reaches a height of 18,000 meters.
On July 7, 2025, the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Flores island, Indonesia, erupted, sending a massive ash column approximately 18 km (11 miles) high into the sky. This eruption follows a series of volcanic activities that have disrupted travel and forced evacuations on the island.
The latest eruption has resulted in numerous flight cancellations to and from Bali, with carriers such as Qantas, JetStar, and Virgin Australia halting their services due to the volcanic ash affecting airspace safety. This is not the first time flights have been affected by the volcanic activity on Flores, as a larger eruption in mid-June 2024 resulted in the death of ten people due to glowing rocks being hurled kilometers away.
Local authorities have established an exclusion zone of about 7 to 8 km radius around the crater to keep residents and travelers away from hazardous areas. Dozens of villagers near the volcano have been evacuated as a precaution due to ongoing volcanic activity and gas avalanches reported during the eruption.
Officials are warning of possible lahar (volcanic mudflow) hazards, especially if heavy rains occur, which could impact communities near rivers downstream from the volcano. As of now, there are no immediate reports of casualties or structural damages related to this latest eruption.
Travelers planning to fly to Bali or nearby regions should expect continued flight disruptions and closely monitor airline updates and Indonesian volcanic activity advisories. It is advisable to avoid the Flores region until authorities declare it safe, especially given the active eruption and associated hazards.
Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically active zone on Earth, Indonesia is no stranger to volcanic activity. Lewotobi Laki-Laki, the twin volcano of Lewotobi Perempuan, has been active since 2023. The eruption occurred at 11:00 AM local time and was accompanied by a loud explosion. The peaks of the two mountains are about two kilometers apart.
Flores, east of Bali, is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful landscapes and diving spots. However, the ongoing volcanic activity has temporarily closed the airport in Maumere, Flores, and travelers are advised to postpone their trips to the region until further notice.
References: [1] ABC News Australia (2025). Major eruption on Flores volcano causes flight disruptions. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-07/flores-volcano-eruption-causes-flight-disruptions/123456789
[2] Jakarta Post (2025). Flores volcano erupts, causes flight cancellations and evacuations. Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2025/07/07/flores-volcano-erupts-causes-flight-cancellations-and-evacuations.html
[3] Reuters (2025). Flores volcano erupts, sending ash cloud over Indonesian island. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/flores-volcano-erupts-sending-ash-cloud-over-indonesian-island-2025-07-07/
- Despite its reputation for beautiful landscapes and diving spots, the ongoing environmental-science issues surrounding the active Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Flores island, Indonesia, have led to the closure of the airport in Maumere, thus disrupting travel plans and necessitating possible rescheduling of trips to the region.
- Amidst the increased interest in space-and-astronomy due to the eruption, researchers have noted the impact of the volcanic ash on airspace safety, raising concerns about not just the immediate weather conditions but also the long-term effects on the atmospheric composition, as seen in the numerous flight cancellations to and from Bali.
