A “red alert” has been activated, and there are concerns about a tsunami as a vast ash cloud, towering six miles into the air, emerges from Mount Lewotobi following its eruption.
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki is one of the 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, an archipelago of 280 million people.
The Australian government has issued a “red” aviation alert following the unbelievable eruption.
And Japan’s Meteorological Agency has launched an investigation into what the tsunami impact could be due to the explosion.
Terrifying footage taken from a residential area nearby shows a gargantuan plume of grey smoke erupting from the volcano.
Volcano Observation Post Officer Yohanes Kolli Sorywutun confirmed the eruption in a statement.
An official stated: “On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 17:35 WITA, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, releasing an ash column reaching 10,000 meters above the peak, which is 11,584 meters above sea level.”
Indonesian authorities advised: “Residents and visitors should refrain from activities within a 7 km radius and the southwest-northeast sector up to 8 km from the eruption site. Stay calm and adhere to local government instructions.”
Indonesia sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates.
