An eruption of Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano sends ash 11 miles high
The volcano has been at the highest alert level since last month and no casualties were immediately reported.
Indonesia's Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) down the volcano's slopes during the eruption. Observations from drones showed lava filling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set off volcanic earthquakes.
The column of hot clouds that rose into the sky was the volcano's highest since the major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens, said Muhammad Wafid, the Geology Agency chief. It also erupted in March.
'An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,' Wafid told The Associated Press from Switzerland where he was attending a seminar. 'We shall reevaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.'
The volcano monitoring agency had increased the alert status for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki to the highest level after an eruption on June 18, and more than doubled an exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius since then as eruptions became more frequent.
After an eruption early last year, about 6,500 people evacuated and the island's Frans Seda Airport was closed. The airport has remained closed since then due to the continuing seismic activity.
The 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) mountain is a twin volcano with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan in the district of Flores Timur.
Monday's eruption was one of Indonesia's largest volcano eruptions since 2010 when Mount Merapi, the country's most volatile volcano erupted on the densely populated island of Java. That eruption killed 353 people and forced over 350,000 people to evacuate affected areas.
Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the 'Ring of Fire,' a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-mandapa-00-INDONESIAWB25-75916efb52c24c8f89df0297f8889806.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
7 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
The 5 Best Resorts in Indonesia of 2025
Indonesia may comprise more than 17,000 islands, but when it comes to resorts in this massive Southeast Asian nation, T+L readers far and away love those on Bali the most. It makes sense, when you think about the beauty and variety of things to do across the island's 2,230 square miles. From the temple in Uluwatu perched high above the sea to the tranquil yoga retreats tucked away in the jungles of Ubud, Bali is an ideal escape for both wellness seekers and those looking for something more adventurous. The same can be said about its luxury resorts, which offer myriad experiences you won't find anywhere else. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. One of the many Dining Beyond Culinary Experiences at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Bali. Richard Bryant/Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve In the southern resort region of Nusa Dua, The Mulia once again earned the runner-up spot on this year's list, and readers raved about the food: 'The restaurants are exceptional, especially the Sunday Brunch at Soleil—it was a highlight of our trip.' They also loved the family-friendly offerings: 'Our kids loved playing in their kids pool, kids club, and at the beach. It was the perfect place for a family vacation in Bali.' The Mulia's neighbor in Nusa Dua, The St. Regis Bali Resort, secured the No. 5 spot this year, thanks to an 'absolutely wonderful team. From the airport greeter to the drive out to the resort, everyone is exceptional! They recall your name, your preferences and are genuine in their effort to see that you have a great experience while enjoying the resort.' Rounding out the list is The Ritz-Carlton, Bali (No. 3), also in Nusa Dua, and the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay (No. 4). Aside from the Four Seasons' amenities like the Sundara Beach Club and the Healing Village Spa, it offers adventure-focused experiences for guests like helicopter tours, fishing expeditions, and surfing lessons. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve The Reserve two-bedroom pool villa. Richard Bryant/Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve 'Feels like heaven.' That's how one reader described this year's winner, which occupies a large swath of verdant jungle along the Ayung River in Ubud. 'It's completely immersed in nature, and wellness is at its core,' added the reader. The resort is made up of 35 suites and 25 pool villas, the latter named for the private swimming pool that comes with each one. But even entry-level suites here are enormous by most resort standards, clocking in at 1,076 square feet with views of the rain forest or rice paddies. Service was also a major draw, as one guest noted: 'The entire staff is top notch, extremely respectful and friendly.' As for the food? 'The restaurants are without exception outstanding. The set menu at Kubu [Madapa's fine-dining venue] is highly recommended.' The entire staff is top notch, extremely respectful and friendly. — T+L Reader 1. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Reader score: 99.18 2. The Mulia Reader score: 98.72 3. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Reader score: 98.64 4. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay Reader score: 98.36 5. The St. Regis Bali Resort Reader score: 97.68
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Indonesian volcano spews massive ash cloud as it erupts again
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has begun erupting again - at one point shooting an ash cloud 18km (11mi) into the sky - as residents flee their homes once more. There have been no reports of casualties since Monday morning, when the volcano on the island of Flores began spewing ash and lava again. Authorities have placed it on the highest alert level since an earlier round of eruptions three weeks ago. At least 24 flights to and from the neighbouring resort island of Bali were cancelled on Monday, though some flights had resumed by Tuesday morning. The initial column of hot clouds that rose at 11:05 (03:05 GMT) Monday was the volcano's highest since November, said geology agency chief Muhammad Wafid. "An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation," Wafid told The Associated Press. Monday's eruption, which was accompanied by a thunderous roar, led authorities to enlarge the exclusion zone to a 7km radius from the central vent. They also warned of potential lahar floods - a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials - if heavy rain occurs. The twin-peaked volcano erupted again at 19:30 on Monday, sending ash clouds and lava up to 13km into the air. It erupted a third time at 05:53 on Tuesday at a reduced intensity. Videos shared overnight show glowing red lava spurting from the volcano's peaks as residents get into cars and buses to flee. More than 4,000 people have been evacuated from the area so far, according to the local disaster management agency. Residents who have stayed put are facing a shortage of water, food and masks, local authorities say. "As the eruption continues, with several secondary explosions and ash clouds drifting westward and northward, the affected communities who have not been relocated... require focused emergency response efforts," say Paulus Sony Sang Tukan, who leads the Pululera village, about 8km from Lewotobi Laki-laki. "Water is still available, but there's concern about its cleanliness and whether it has been contaminated, since our entire area was blanketed in thick volcanic ash during yesterday's [eruptions]," he said. Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic activity as well as earthquakes. Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted multiple times this year - no casualties have been reported so far. However, an eruption last November killed at least ten people and forced thousands to flee. Laki-Laki, which means "man" in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703m named Perempuan, the Indonesian word for "woman". Additional reporting by Eliazar Ballo in Kupang.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ted Cruz was overseas again when disaster hit Texas - but his team claims he ‘promptly' booked a flight home this time
Texas Senator Ted Cruz was overseas again when devastating floods struck his home state, but this time he promptly got on a flight home, his team claimed. Cruz was in Greece visiting the Parthenon in the capital city of Athens this weekend as disaster hit in Texas, reminiscent of when he went to Cancun, Mexico, in 2021 during one of the worst winter storms in the state's recent history. At least 95 people, including children, have died after heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to swell in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend. In a statement, Cruz's team confirmed the senator was in the middle of his family vacation and said he got back 'as fast as humanly possible.' 'The Senator was already in the middle of preplanned family vacation travel overseas when the flooding occurred on July 4. Within hours, he spoke by phone with Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Texas Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd, and President Trump, working to ensure that the maximum federal assets were available for search and rescue,' Cruz's office said in a statement to The Independent. 'He and his team worked closely with local officials and with families of missing girls throughout that time. He promptly booked a flight back home. Given the time difference, he left Athens on Sunday morning and was back in Texas that night. And he was in Kerrville on the ground early Monday morning,' the statement added. Cruz's vacation was first reported by The Daily Beast after an anonymous eyewitness told the outlet they spotted him at the Parthenon around 6 p.m. local time/11 a.m. ET Saturday. '20 kids dead in Texas and you take a vacation?' the eyewitness claimed they asked the senator, who 'sort of grunted and walked on.' On July 4, Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, announced that more than 20 girls were missing. They have since confirmed that 27 girls and staff members were killed in the disaster. According to The Daily Beast, Cruz arrived in Greece on July 3. On July 2, the Texas Division of Emergency Management announced it was activating state emergency response 'in anticipation of increased threats of flooding in parts of West and Central Texas,' the warning said. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, acting as governor for Greg Abbott who was out of state, called a press conference that night to warn of the flooding when Cruz was touching down in Athens. The next day, on July 4, Patrick called a second press conference. On July 5, Cruz and his wife were seen at the Parthenon before returning to the U.S. the next day, the Daily Beast reported. Cruz's team did not specifically respond to questions The Independent put to them about the senator's timeline. The Texas Republican's communications director Macarena Martinez accused the outlet of having 'no regard for the tragedy in Texas' in a post on X. 'A bull**** piece published by a bull**** rag outlet with no credibility, and with no regard for the tragedy in Texas,' Martinez said in a post on X Monday. 'The Senator is on the ground in Texas and arrived as fast as humanly possible. I explained all of this to their two-faced reporter,' she wrote. Cruz faced a wave of backlash in 2021 after he went to Cancun during a harsh winter storm, which left thousands of Texans without heat or water. The scandal earned him the nickname of 'Cancun Cruz.' He later apologized and admitted it was 'obviously a mistake.' 'In hindsight, I wouldn't have done it,' he said.
