Frans Xavier Seda Airport temporarily closed after eruption at Lewotobi Laki-Laki, Indonesia

Frans Xavier Seda Airport in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province was temporarily closed on Wednesday due to an eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island.

The airport, located in the Sikka region, remained closed for a day until authorities determined it was safe for flights, according to an official from AirNav Indonesia. The closure followed a pilot’s report of a sulfur odor while flying from Maumere to Kupang at an altitude of 1 500–3 300 m (4 921–10 827 feet).

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation reported that Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted at approximately 06:40 local time (LT), releasing ash up to 2 500 m (8 202 feet) above its peak.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki remains at Level III, one step below Indonesia’s highest volcano alert level. It stands at approximately 1 584 m (5 197 feet) above sea level and is part of a twin-volcano system locally known as the male and female mountains.

It comprises two adjacent stratovolcanoes: Laki-Laki and Perempuan (“husband and wife”), which are less than 2 km (1.24 miles) apart.

The two mountains are classified as stratovolcanoes, the most common type of volcano worldwide, formed by layers of lava accumulating over time.

Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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