January 2, 2026 | 07:53 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) raised the alert for Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki to Level IV on Thursday, January 1, 2026. This is the highest warning level for the volcano. The change took effect at 6:00 p.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA) following a sharp rise in volcanic activity.
The volcano sits in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Officials raised the status as the mountain experienced 122 deep volcanic earthquakes in just six hours on Thursday. The 1,584-meter-high mountain has shown growing instability since Wednesday.
"The rise in earthquakes shows a large supply of new magma moving fast toward the surface. This situation could trigger an eruption," said Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, in a statement on Thursday.
The agency recorded a spike in activity from December 23 to 31, 2025. During those days, sensors picked up over 200 tremor earthquakes and more than 100 deep volcanic quakes. "The last eruption occurred on October 18, 2025, at 12:44 a.m. WITA," she said.
Lana stated that the volcano's activity has trended upward for a week. Data from ground tiltmeters show the mountain surface is swelling in a short amount of time. This inflation is a clear sign that magma is pushing against the surface of the volcano.
"Data from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) has shown an inflation pattern over the past week. In the last three days, this movement has increased significantly," she said.
According to Lana, seismic data confirms magma is moving from deep inside the earth toward the crater. Based on this visual and technical analysis, the agency moved the status of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki from 'Alert' to 'Warning.'
"The public and tourists must stay at least 6 kilometers away from the eruption center. In the northwest and northeast, the danger zone extends to 7 kilometers. Residents should stay calm and follow local government orders," she said.
Residents are also warned about the risk of lahar floods if heavy rain hits the area. These cold lava flows can rush down river basins that start at the summit, including paths near Boru, Padang Pasir, Nawakote, Klatanlo, Dulipali, Hokeng Jaya, Nobo, and Nurabelen.
"Local officials must keep coordinating with the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Observation Post and the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG)," she said.
Read: Indonesia's West Java Records 1,242 Earthquakes in 2025, BMKG Says
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