PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 15-27 February. White-and-gray ash plumes generally rose 200-800 m above the summit though some rose as high as 1 km above the summit and were dense. The seismic network recorded 3,615 signals indicating emissions during 16-26 February, according to a news article. Avalanches were detected but not visually observed during 15-23 February, and seismicity fluctuated but the data indicated an upward trend. Explosions continued to be recorded but began to intensify, ejecting incandescent material as far as 500 m from the crater rim and producing taller ash plumes.

Lava flows advanced over the crater rim on 15 February and traveled 400 m from the vent down the S and SE flanks. The flows continued to advance and by 23 February the SE flow was 1 km long and the S flow was 600 m long. The public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the summit and 3 km away on the S and SE flanks. According to news articles activity significantly increased during 24-26 February; ash plumes continued to rise as high as 1 km above the summit and avalanches of material descended the SE and S flanks as far as 1 km. The SE lava flow advanced relatively fast, reaching 2 km long by 26 February. At 1000 on 27 February PVMBG raised the Alert Level to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone on the S and SE flanks was increased to 4 km. Though evacuations were not mandatory in Jontona, there were plans to assist residents who chose to evacuate; the lava flow was 2 km from the village.

Geological Summary. The Lewotolok (or Lewotolo) stratovolcano occupies the eastern end of an elongated peninsula extending north into the Flores Sea, connected to Lembata (formerly Lomblen) Island by a narrow isthmus. It is symmetrical when viewed from the north and east. A small cone with a 130-m-wide crater constructed at the SE side of a larger crater forms the volcano's high point. Many lava flows have reached the coastline. Eruptions recorded since 1660 have consisted of explosive activity from the summit crater.

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