Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts, Sending Ash and Gas Clouds Over Indonesia

A photograph released by the Geological Agency of Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources shows Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupting on July 7, 2025, in East Flores, Indonesia. The image captures the volcano expelling volcanic materials.

On Monday, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted, sending a plume of volcanic materials approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) into the atmosphere. Ashfall was reported in nearby villages.

The Indonesian Geology Agency reported that the eruption included an avalanche of hot gas clouds cascading down the volcano's slopes. No immediate casualties were reported.

Following an eruption on June 18, the volcano's alert status was raised to the highest level by the country's volcano monitoring agency. The exclusion zone around the volcano was also expanded to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius due to the increased frequency of eruptions.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has a history of eruptions, including one in November that resulted in nine fatalities and numerous injuries. The volcano also erupted in March.

The mountain, standing at 1,584 meters (5,197 feet), is a twin volcano, sharing the district of Flores Timur with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan.

Indonesia, an archipelago with a population of 270 million, is prone to frequent seismic activity. The nation is home to 120 active volcanoes and is situated along the "Ring of Fire," a seismically active zone that encircles the Pacific Basin.