Volcanic ash is reportedly spurting out of Mount Rokatenda, in Sikka regency, Indonesia due to increased volcanic activity since October 1, 2012. Based on analysis of satellite imagery and other data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-13 November ash plumes from Paluweh rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) and drifted 90-150 km NW and W. People living around the volcano have been evacuated and shelters are provided at Hewuli village. Jakarta post reports that there have been cases of various illnesses, such as respiratory, eye and skin irritation.
Received FVAU0190 at 02:49 UTC, 19/11/12 from ADRM
VAAC: Darwin
VOLCANO: Paluweh 0604-15
AREA: Lesser Sunda Is
SUMMIT ELEV: 875M
AVIATION COLOUR CODE: ORANGE
ERUPTION DETAILS: VA PLUME OBS TO FL080 EXTENDING 35NM TO NW AT
19/0130Z.
RMK: HEIGHT DERIVED FROM 19/0130Z MTSAT2 IR IMAGE AND KUPANG
18/1200Z SOUNDING
NXT ADVISORY: NO LATER THAN 20121119/0900ZSource: Darwin VAAC
Also known as Paluweh, Rokatenda is a stratovolcano mountain located on the small island of Palu'e Island, north of Flores Island in Sikka Regency in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The biggest eruption occurred on 4 August - 25 September 1928, when a strong explosive eruption was accompanied by landslide-induced tsunamis and lava dome emplacement.
Paluweh captured by ISS in October 2002 ("Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center/Astronaut Photography of Earth STS112-E-5629) Volcano status as notified by Indonesia's National disaster management agency:
| 7 Standby, 13 Watchful | |
 Standby | |
| Name Mount | As of Date |
| Raung | October 22, 2012 |
| Rokatenda | October 13, 2012 |
| Sangeangapi | October 10, 2012 |
| Karangetang | August 8, 2011 |
| Lokon | July 24, 2011 |
| Ijen | July 24, 2012 |
| Soputan | August 26, 2012 |
 Alert | |
| Name Mount | As of Date |
| Gamalama | October 9, 2012 |
| Bromo | October 3, 2012 |
| Papandayan | January 31, 2012 |
Featured Image: Global volcanism program - An unvegetated lava dome is visible at the summit of Paluweh volcano, also known as Rokatenda. The complex stratovolcano forms an 8-km-wide island located north of the volcanic arc that cuts across Flores Island. Photo by Volcanological Survey of Indonesia.
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