Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara has shown a significant increase in volcanic activity, prompting authorities to raise its alert status to Level IV (Awas), the highest level.
The escalation, observed between 5–13 February 2025, has raised concerns over potential disruptions to air travel, particularly at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.
Increased Volcanic Activity
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Mount Lewotobi has been emitting white to grayish plumes of smoke, with varying intensities from thin to thick. The height of the emissions has ranged from 50 to 1.500 meters from the summit, while eruptions have reached heights of 500–800 meters.
“The increase in Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki’s activity from Level III to Level IV was officially declared on Thursday, 13 February 2025, at 03.00 WITA,” said BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari on Friday, 14 February. “This status indicates that volcanic activity has reached a critical phase, with an increased risk of a major eruption.”
Seismic data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) recorded 43 eruption earthquakes, 987 emission earthquakes, 388 harmonic tremors, and other types of volcanic activity during the monitoring period. Additionally, faint incandescent lava glows were observed at night, signaling magma movement toward the surface.
Potential Impact on Air Travel
Past eruptions of Mount Lewotobi have severely disrupted flights at Ngurah Rai Airport.
During the 4 November 2024 eruption, 135 flights were canceled, with 115 directly impacted by volcanic ash and 20 due to operational reasons.
The 14–15 November 2024 eruption led to widespread flight cancellations, affecting 346 scheduled departures and arrivals, including 32 international flights. Hundreds of foreign tourists were left stranded at the airport, waiting for air travel to resume.
On 27 November 2024, all operations at Ngurah Rai Airport were halted as volcanic ash covered the skies over Denpasar, underscoring the severe impact such eruptions can have on aviation safety.
Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to aircraft, as seen in past incidents where ash ingestion led to catastrophic engine failures, including the 1989 KLM 867 incident and the 1982 British Airways Flight 9 emergency over Jakarta.
With Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki now at its highest alert level, authorities are closely monitoring its activity and advising residents and travelers to stay informed on potential air travel disruptions.
The public is urged to follow official recommendations to ensure safety as the situation develops.
