BANDUNG. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) decreased the status of Mt. Ile Lewotolo located in Lembata District, Nusa Tenggara Timur province to advisory from the previous status of Watch. The decreased status of Mt. Ile Lewotolo is done because of the decrease of volcanic activity of the mountain of the last few days.
“Based on visual data and seismic analysis, commencing on January 2nd, 2012 at 11.30 p.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Standard Time), the activity status of Mt. Ile Lewotolo increased from Advisory (Level II) to Watch (Level III). However, the last few days the volcanic activity tends to decrease, so commencing on January 25th, 2012 at 4 p.m. WITA the activity status of Mt. Ile Lewotolo decreased from Watch (Level III) to Advisory (Level II),” the press conference accepted by editorial staff of esdm.go.id.
An intensive observation is done to evaluate the activity of Mt. Ile Lewotolo and also understanding of the activity is intensively done through socialization concerning the threat of explosion. If the activity decreases/increases significantly, the status activity could be decreased/increased based on its activity level and danger.
Mt. Ile Lewotolo is located in Lembata District, Nusa Tenggara Timur province. Geographically is located in the position of 08°16'15" SouthLat. and 123°30'18" East Long in 1455 meter in height above the sea level. The mountain has been rested for 92 years, the last explosion happened in 1920 in form of small explosion. Previously has been recorded some explosions in 1660, 1819, 1849, 1852, 1821, 1864, 1889, and 1920.
The seismic activity observation of Mt. Ile Lewotolo is done from Volcano Observation Post of Ile Lewotolo in Laranwutun Village, Ile Ape Sub-District, Lembata District by using a unit of seismograph of telemetry system. The device consists of seismometer vertical component L4-C and VCO, which is installed in southwestern slope 1 km of the crater in coordinate 08°16’ 57,00” SouthLat., 123° 29’ 39,09” EastLong. and 716 m above the sea level. The seismograph uses a recorder of PS-2 installed in Observation Post of Ile Lewotolo.
The eruption danger potency of Mt. Ile Lewotolo are:
Disaster-Prone Areas III (KRB III): areas of potentially threatened by hot cloud, lava flow, lava fall, and poisonous gas. The areas within the radius of 2 km of the crater/eruption point, which is potentially threatened by incandescent rocks and heavy ash rain;
Disaster-Prone Areas II (KRB II): areas of potentially threatened by hot cloud, lava flow, and lava falls. The areas within the radius of 4 km of the crater/eruption point, which is potentially threatened by incandescent rocks and heavy ash rain;
Disaster-Prone Areas I (KRB I): areas of potentially threatened by lava rain. There are some rivers in south – southeast part, which are disgorging in Mt. Ile Lewotolo. The areas within the radius of 7 km of the crater/eruption point are potentially threatened by ash rain and possibly could be threatened by incandescent rocks.
Related to the activity status of Mt. Ile Lewotolo, citizens and visitors/tourism surrounding Mt. Ile Lewotolo are recommended not to hike and get close to the crater in the peak of Mt. Ile Lewotolo and citizens surrounding Mt. Ile Lewotolo to be calm, and not influenced by issues concerning the explosion of Mt. Ile Lewotolo, however have to be more alert and obey the instruction of BPBD. (AK)
