Prepared by: Asmita Dahal, GRIT
Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Because of its location, it is home to some of the world’s most active volcanoes. In June 2025, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, situated on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted violently. Ash clouds were spread over 10,000 meters into the atmosphere. In this report, the geological characteristics of the eruption are examined along with its immediate and lasting impacts on aviation, local communities, and the environment. The response strategies employed by Indonesian authorities are also discussed.
Introduction
Indonesia’s geographical position on the Pacific Ring of Fire is a major reason for its vulnerability to seismic and volcanic activity. More than 120 active volcanoes are there in Indonesia. The country experiences frequent eruptions leading to catastrophic consequences. The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in June 2025 is the latest volcanic event that has disrupted life and infrastructure in the region (Sky News, 2025).
Geological Background of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is one of a twin stratovolcano system. The other is Mount Lewotobi Perempuan. The volcano is located in the Flores Timur district, and it rises to an elevation of 1,584 meters (5,197 feet) above sea level. It has a history of periodic eruptions. The significant activities were recorded in November 2024 and May 2025 (MSN News, 2025). Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) monitors the volcano. The alert level was raised to its highest on June 17, 2025, following increased seismic activity and visible ash clouds.
Chronology and Characteristics of the Eruption
The eruption began on the afternoon of June 17, 2025, at approximately 5:35 PM local time. A towering ash column was formed that reached up to 10,000 meters (32,800 feet). It had formed a mushroom-shaped cloud that was visible from as far as 150 kilometers away (CBC News, 2025). More than 50 seismic events were recorded in the two hours before the eruption. The frequency of seismic events had far exceeded the volcano’s daily average of 8–10 tremors (Yahoo News, 2025).
The eruption was accompanied by pyroclastic flows, ash fall, and the expulsion of volcanic gravel. The danger zone expanded to an 8-kilometer radius from the crater. Authorities had warned about potential lahars due to heavy rainfall interacting with volcanic debris (MSN News, 2025).
Impact on Aviation and Transportation
The regional air travel was severely impacted by the eruption. Volcanic ash created a severe risk to aircraft engines due to which dozens of flights to and from Bali, Labuan Bajo, and other regional hubs were cancelled. Airlines like Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, and Air India were affected (Sky News, 2025). Widespread disruptions were seen in Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Thousands of travelers were stuck or rerouted.
The Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere was temporarily halted. Flights to major cities in Australia, Malaysia, India, and China were suspended (MSN News, 2025). The aviation industry’s response showed that the air travel sector is vulnerable to natural disasters especially in seismically active regions.
Societal and Environmental Consequences
No casualties were reported in the June eruption. However, evacuations were forced in several villages like Boru, Hewa, Watobuku, and Nurabelen. Residents were moved to safer areas like Konga and Nileknoheng, 12 kilometers away from the crater (CBC News, 2025). The homes, roads, and agricultural land were covered by ashfall, which raised worries about respiratory health and food security of people.
Local economies, mainly tourism and agriculture, were affected by the eruption. Bali is a major tourist destination in Indonesia. It experienced a drop in the number of arrivals due to cancellations of flights. According to the farmers in the affected regions, there was major crop damage due to ash and gravel deposits.
Government Response and Mitigation Efforts
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) coordinated evacuation efforts. It also distributed emergency supplies to evacuated residents. Because of falling debris, monitoring posts were temporarily relocated. Public advisories were also issued to warn of potential secondary hazards like lahars and flash floods (MSN News, 2025).
The lessons were learned by the government from previous eruptions, including the deadly November 2024 event that claimed nine lives. This aided to the government’s swift response. Improvements were seen in early warning systems and community preparedness. This played a vital role in reducing casualties during the June eruption.
Conclusion
The June 2025 eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki highlights the constant risk posed by Indonesia’s active volcanoes. While significant disruption was caused by the event, there was the absence of fatalities. This shows improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. Investment should be continued in monitoring infrastructure, public education, and emergency planning. This will assist in mitigating the risks associated with future eruptions.
References
- CBC News. (2025, June 18). Volcanic eruption in Indonesia forces evacuations, cancelled flights. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/lewotobi-laki-laki-1.7564178
- MSN News. (2025, June 18). Volcanic eruption in Indonesia forces evacuations and flight cancelations. https://www.msn.com/en-us/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/volcanic-eruption-in-indonesia-forces-evacuations-and-flight-cancelations/ar-AA1GW5Dp
- Sky News. (2025, June 18). Flights cancelled in Indonesia after volcano eruption unleashes massive cloud of hot ash. https://news.sky.com/story/volcano-erupts-in-indonesia-unleashing-6-8-miles-high-ash-cloud-13384955
- Yahoo News. (2025, June 18). Watch: Indonesia volcano eruption sends ash 10km into sky. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/watch-indonesia-volcano-eruption-sends-134209013.html