A volcano erupted overnight on an Indonesian island, authorities announced on Wednesday, releasing a massive ash cloud into the atmosphere as the highest alert was issued.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island erupted late Tuesday and again at 01:35 am (1735 GMT), sending volcanic materials 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) above its 1,584-meter summit, according to the national volcanology agency.
No immediate reports of casualties or damage were available, but authorities cautioned residents and tourists on the eastern Indonesian island to avoid the area, anticipating possible evacuations.
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Geology agency chief Muhammad Wafid stated that the volcano’s alert level was raised to the highest late Tuesday after detecting an increase in deep quakes, often a precursor to explosive eruptions.
Wafid noted that the towering ash column could “disrupt airport operations and flight paths if it continues to spread.”
Authorities have already halted operations at a local airport in Maumere, approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of Lewotobi, as announced on Instagram.
The geology agency also advised residents near rivers to be vigilant for dangerous volcanic floods, known as lahar, if heavy rain occurs.
In July, the same volcano emitted a massive 18-kilometer (11-mile) ash column, resulting in the cancellation of 24 flights at Bali’s international airport.
Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago, lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific.
