PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotobi’s Laki-laki volcano was ongoing during 16-23 January. Dense white-and-gray or white, gray, and brown ash plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit and drifted NW, N, NE, and E. Lava flows from the summit crater continued down the N flank and were almost 3.8 km long by 23 January, according to a news article. Lava avalanches and pyroclastic flows occasionally descended the N, NW, and SW flanks during the week; lava avalanches traveled at most 2 km down the SW flank on 16 January. The Alert Level remained at 4 (the highest level on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay outside of the exclusion zone, defined as a 5-km radius around Laki-laki Crater and 6 km from the crater on the N and NE flanks.

Geological Summary. The Lewotobi edifice in eastern Flores Island is composed of the two adjacent Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes (the "husband and wife"). Their summits are less than 2 km apart along a NW-SE line. The conical Laki-laki to the NW has been frequently active during the 19th and 20th centuries, while the taller and broader Perempuan has had observed eruptions in 1921 and 1935. Small lava domes have grown during the 20th century in both of the summit craters, which are open to the north. A prominent cone, Iliwokar, occurs on the E flank of Perampuan.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Antara News, Antara News, Antara News, Antara News, Antara News