On 4 February, CVGHM reported that since 9 October 2007, white plumes from Batu Tara were a daily occurrence. On 8 January, gray plumes rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (4,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. On 26 and 30 January, white plumes rose to altitudes of 1.5-1.7 km (4,900-5,600 ft) a.s.l. and also drifted E. The Darwin VAAC reported that eruption plumes were observed from a ship on 31 January, but ash was not identified on satellite imagery. The Alert level remained at 1 (on a scale of 1-4).

Geological Summary. The small isolated island of Batu Tara in the Flores Sea about 50 km N of Lembata (fomerly Lomblen) Island contains a scarp on the eastern side similar to the Sciara del Fuoco of Italy's Stromboli volcano. Vegetation covers the flanks to within 50 m of the summit. Batu Tara lies north of the main volcanic arc and is noted for its potassic leucite-bearing basanitic and tephritic rocks. The first historical eruption, during 1847-52, produced explosions and a lava flow.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)