Lewotobi Volcano

Updated: May 21, 2025 12:22 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Flores (Indonesia), -8.54°S / 122.78°E

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Summit height: 1703 m / 5,587 ft

Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)

Last update: 21 May 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

Lewotobi Lakilaki and Lewotobi Perempuan twin volcano

Lewotobi volcano at the eastern end of Flores Island is one of the most frequently active volcanoes in the region. It has two peaks arranged on a NW-SE line separated by 2 km and a 1232 m high saddle. This gave the twin volcano its name Lewotobi "husband and wife" (also spelled Lewetobi).
The two peaks correspond to the Lewotobi Lakilaki and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes. Lewotobi Lakilaki (1584 m) has a summit crater of 400 m diameter open to the north. Lewotobi Perampuan (1703 m)'s crater is 700 m wide.

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Lewotobi webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes | Images

Typical eruption style: Explosive
Lewotobi volcano eruptions: 2023-ongoing, 2014?, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1991, 1990, 1971, 1970, 1968-69, 1939-40, 1935, 1932-33, 1921, 1914, 1909-10, 1907, 1889, 1869, 1868, 1865, 1861, 1859(?), 1675

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Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location

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Background

Lewotobi Lakilaki has been frequently active during the 19th and 20th centuries, while the taller and broader Lewotobi Perempuan has erupted only twice in historical time. Small lava domes have grown during the 20th century in the summit craters of both volcanoes. A prominent flank cone, Iliwokar, occurs on the east flank of Lewotobi Perampuan.

Lewotobi Volcano Photos

The Lewotobi Lakilaki and Lewotobi Perempuan twin volcano (meaning "husband" and "wife") is one of Flores'most active volcanoes. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Lewotobi Lakilaki ("husband") volcano in eastern Flores seen on the way to Larantuka. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Lewotobi volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Lewotobi has had at least 23 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Lewotobi volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Lewotobi volcano since around 1800. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Lewotobi can be found on the news page of Lewotobi volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2023 Dec 23 - ongoing	Historical obs./docs.	2
2024 Nov 3 (eruptive episode 2024 Nov 3)	Historical obs./docs.	0	9	heavy	Info
2024 Nov 3: Reference #13856 The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that eruptive activity at Lewotobi Laki-laki remained at a high-level during 5-12 November, producing tall ash plumes, explosions, pyroclastic flows, and a lava flow, which all significantly affected residents, infrastructure, and transportation. The Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) reported that as of 5 November there were 2,472 people spread across three evacuation shelters. A total of nine people had died (six from one family according to a news article) from the eruptive events that occurred during 3-4 November, 63 were injured, and five people remained in the hospital, one was critically injured. Information about damage to homes and infrastructure was incomplete because the exclusion zone and ongoing eruption prevented evaluations. Reference #13854 IMPACTS: As of BNPB report on 5 Nov at 0745 HRS UTC+7, - 9 persons dead and 1 person in critical condition - 31 persons severe injured - 32 persons minor injured - 2,734 families (10,295 persons) affected - 2,472 persons displaced to 3 evacuation centres over Konga, Bokang, and Lewolaga. - 4 airports around Lewotobi Laki-laki still closed as of this morning DAMAGES: - 2,384 houses affected - 23 houses heavily damaged - 25 schools damaged Reference #13853 According to the ASEAN DMRS, it is estimated that 72.2K people (18.7K households), and 162 Million USD of infrastructure (total replacement value)* are within 10 km and more likely to be adversely impacted. As of a BNPB report on 4 November at 0319 HRS UTC (data collection are ongoing); Affected areas: Kecamanta Wulanggitang and Kecamatan Ile Bura; A total of 10,295 persons affected; A total of 10 persons dead. Cited references #13853 AHA Centre - ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (2024): Flash Update: No. 01 - Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Eruption, Indonesia. Published 4 November 2024. Link #13854 AHA Centre - ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (2024): ASEAN Disaster Information Network. Detail Report: Indonesia, Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Activity in East Nusa Tenggara. Accessed 7 November 2024. Link #13856 Global Volcanism Program (2024): Report on Lewotobi (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 6 November-12 November 2024. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
?? 2014 Oct 6	Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs.	2
2003 May 30 - Sep 1 or later	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
2002 Oct 12	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	1
1999 Mar 31 - Jul 1 ?	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1991 May 11 - 1992 Dec 31 or later	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	1
1990 Jan 28 - Jun 16 ±15 d.	Lewotabi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	1
1971 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1970 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1968 Nov 28 - 1969 Feb 2	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1939 Dec 17 - 1940 Apr 21	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1935 Dec - Dec 25 or later	Lewetobi Perempuan Historical obs./docs.	2
1932 May 23 - 1933 Dec 26 ±5 d.	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	3
1921 Jan 1 - Dec 20	Lewotobi Perempuan Historical obs./docs.	2
1914 Jun 29	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1909 Jan 8 - 1910 May 26	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1907 Sep 28 - Oct 30	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	3
1907 Sep 28 (eruption 1907 Sep 28 - Oct 30)	Historical obs./docs.	2	1		Info
1907 Sep 28: 1 killed, several wounded. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1889	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1869 Jul 7 - Jul 27	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1869 Jul 7 (eruption 1869 Jul 7 - Jul 27)	Historical obs./docs.	2	2		Info
1869 Jul 7: Two deaths, cause unknown. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1868 Dec 15	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1868 Jul 13 or before	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1865 May 4	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
1861 May 4 - May 18	Lewotobi Lakilaki Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1859 Jul	Uncertain Eruption	?

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Lewotobi volcano

2003 eruption
Lewotobi volcano erupted on 30 May 2003. Ash plumes were seen 200 m above the summit and light ash fall occurred at the observatory 5 km from the crater. Small eruptions continued in June and July, producing ashfall in the villages of Bawalatang, Duang, and Boru.
On 31 August, a more powerful explosion produced an ash plume to a height of ~2.5 km above the summit that drifted W, incandescent lava bombs ignited forest fires up to 1 km radius from the crater. Ash fall damaged crops on nearby farmland. Following that 2003 eruption, according to the daily Jakarta Post, at least 565 villagers living on the slopes of Lewotobi were affected by sulfur and ash emissions. The residents experienced respiratory problems and skin afflictions.
The eruption ended sometime in October.
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Source: GVP monthly activity reports

2002 eruption
An moderate explosion occurred at the volcano on 12 October 2002, the first activity since 1999. ...more info

1999 eruption
Small ash explosions began at Lewotobi volcano on 21 March 1999.
The activity consisted typically of weak steam and ash emissions reaching a few 100 m above the summit, sometimes interrupted by more powerful explosions. In April and May, mild strombolian activity with visibly incandescent lava was observed, ejecting bombs to 50-75 m above the crater. A stronger explosion, accompanied by a blast, occurred on 1 July 1999. The explosion threw glowing bombs to more than 500 m distance from the crater, igniting forest fires that burnt vegetation up to 2.5 km north of the volcano. Minor ash fell occurred in an 8 km radius, including the villages of Boru, Bawalatang, and Watukubu.
No reports of further activity after July are available, when the eruption probably started to die out.

1991 eruption
Mild eruptive activity resumed at the summit crater in the first half and until around July/August of 1991. Mild ash emission and strombolian activity was observed between March-July. The highest reported ash plumes reached about 800 m and incandescent material reached 100 m height above the crater. It was reported that hot ash fall (smelling of sulfur) onto nearby areas caused residents to flee during eruptions in July.

1939 eruption
Lewotobi volcano erupted on 17 December 1939, exactly 6 years after the start of the previous eruption. It is reported that the eruption caused lapilli fall "like hen eggs" at the Hokeng mission post for 10 minutes.

1933 eruption
A powerful ash eruption occurred at Lewotobi volcano on 17 December 1933. Incandescent bombs were visible from Doeang and Nobo.

Lewotobi Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Lewotobi volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Lewotobi began in 2023 and is continuing (as of May 2025).

+How often does Lewotobi volcano erupt?

Since 1675 AD, Lewotobi volcano has had at least 23 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 15.2 years.
Many eruptions of Lewotobi have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 29 out of 350 years until now. In other words, Lewotobi has been active at least one in 12.1 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Lewotobi is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Lewotobi volcano at present?

Lewotobi volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 23 eruptions, and been active during 23 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Lewotobi has been in eruption one in 5.5 years on average. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest eruption of Lewotobi volcano?

The largest eruption of Lewotobi volcano in historic times occurred during 1932 - 1933. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Lewotobi Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).