Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted again on Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, 2024, at 06:07 WITA, spewing a volcanic ash column 2,000 meters above its summit.
In early November, the initial eruption of Mount Lewotobi produced an ash column as high as 12 km.
A team of volcanology researchers from the Geological Engineering study program, Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), and the Environmental Geography Department, Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Geography UGM), emphasized that this volcanic eruption disaster highlights the importance of strengthening disaster mitigation systems based on science, technology, and more inclusive public education.
UGM’s Professor of Volcanology Agung Harijoko explained that the height of this eruption’s column is unprecedented.
According to him, Mount Lewotobi’s eruption typically falls under the Strombolian type, with an eruption column of up to 2 km, but this time, it reached nearly five times that.
“This indicates a new dynamic in its volcanic activity,” said Professor Harijoko on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
In addition to the direct threat from the eruption, Professor Harijoko mentioned that the indirect impact of volcanic ash distribution is a serious problem.
The ash damages crops, threatens public health, and disrupts economic activities, including temporarily suspending flights in the area.
“This situation presents a major challenge, particularly in ensuring public safety and the continuity of economic activities around the affected area,” he added.
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi has significantly impacted the lives of people in the affected region.
Residents within the safe radius have been evacuated, but they still face other threats, such as damaged homes due to the heavy accumulation of volcanic ash, health risks from fine ash particles, and disrupted food supplies due to transportation issues.
“The government needs to pay attention to the economic impacts, including losses in the agricultural sector and local businesses. Response efforts must include post-disaster recovery, such as economic assistance for farmers and small business owners affected,” he said.
Regarding disaster mitigation actions, he emphasized the importance of a more comprehensive volcanic monitoring system to provide accurate early warnings of eruptions.
He noted that Mount Merapi’s monitoring system is highly developed in Yogyakarta. It utilizes seismometers to detect volcanic earthquakes, geochemistry to monitor volcanic gases, and geological analysis to understand magma composition.
“This kind of system should ideally be applied in other volcano-prone regions,” he stated.
Assistant Professor Dr. Indranova Suhendro added that although monitoring technology has advanced, the main challenge in mitigation efforts is communicating this information to the public.
Complex scientific data is often difficult for the general public to understand, creating a gap in the implementation of mitigation measures at the local level.
“Today, there needs to be collaboration to create simple, informative content, such as short videos or interactive infographics, so that mitigation messages reach the wider community,” he explained.
In addition, a community-based approach is also considered essential.
He recommended that the government and related agencies involve local communities in disaster mitigation training.
He also emphasized the importance of training communities living near mountains to read vulnerability maps, recognize early signs of volcanic activity, and follow safe evacuation procedures.
Through this education, the community can become more self-reliant in facing disasters.
Meanwhile, volcanology observer Dr. Haryo Edi Wibowo from the Geological Engineering Department, FT UGM, stressed that disaster mitigation is not only the responsibility of the government but also requires close collaboration with academics, the media, and the community.
This synergy is necessary to create a disaster-responsive society capable of withstanding geological threats.
“In the long term, the government needs to strengthen the mitigation system with a science-based, technology-based, and public education-based approach. If done well, these steps will reduce the risk of casualties and minimize the economic and social impacts caused by volcanic eruptions,” concluded Dr. Wibowo.
Author: Lintang Andwyna Nurseisa Azrien
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna Nurseisa Azrien