Volcanic activity at Mount Ile Lewotolok, located in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, has once again shown a significant escalation. An increase in eruption frequency and loud rumbles heard as far as residential areas has been intensively observed from mid-June to early July 2026.
Ile Lewotolok Volcano Observatory officer Stanislaus Arakian confirmed that despite the surge in activity, the volcano's alert status remains at Level II (Alert). Based on instrumental monitoring data, the volcano has displayed fairly consistent seismic fluctuations since its status was downgraded in late February.
The phenomenon most felt by local residents is the loud rumbling sounds from the crater, which were even reported to shake window panes and walls of houses around the mountain slopes. The observation post recorded thousands of eruption and emission tremors throughout June into the first week of July, indicating high underground seismic energy.
Visually, the mountain's activity is marked by an eruption column reaching a height of up to 600 meters above the peak. In addition, incandescent material discharges have been detected falling within a radius of 100 to 500 meters from the crater center, serving as an indicator that the volcano is in an active eruption phase.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has strictly issued a ban prohibiting hikers and residents from engaging in activities within a two-kilometer radius of the crater center. Residents are also advised not to panic over the rumbling sounds, but to remain disciplined in using personal protective equipment such as masks and goggles to guard against volcanic ash exposure and to maintain the cleanliness of clean water sources.
