Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Erupts. Is Your Country On Danger List?
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Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on June 17, spewing ash up to 10 km into the sky.
The Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano in south-central Indonesia has erupted, sending massive plumes of hot ash into the sky and putting nearby areas on high alert. According to the Indonesian Geological Agency, the volcano released thick grey clouds stretching up to 10,000 meters high on Tuesday afternoon, visible from cities located 90 to 150 km away.
While there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, authorities have warned residents to remain cautious, as heavy rainfall could trigger lava flows in nearby rivers.
This comes months after another eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in November last year that killed nine people and injured dozens. Lewotobi Laki-Laki is one of Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes. The country is highly prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone where multiple tectonic plates meet.
Countries With Active Volcanoes
Indonesia has the highest concentration of active volcanoes in the world, with around 130 believed to be currently active. Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the region frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to the constant movement and collision of tectonic plates. Some of the most active and well-known volcanoes include Mount Merapi, Mount Sinabung, and Mount Krakatoa.
Japan: With about 111 active volcanoes, Japan ranks second in the world after Indonesia. Sitting on a complex tectonic convergence, the country often faces frequent eruptions and earthquakes, with some notable ones witnessed at Mount Fuji, Mount Sakurajima, and Mount Aso.
United States: The United States also has massive volcanic activity that takes place across Alaska. Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. Among its 169 active volcanoes, some of the notable ones are Kilauea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii and Mount St. Helens in Washington. While Alaska alone hosts over 130 active volcanoes, Hawaii is home to Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Russia: Russia has around 120 active volcanoes, mainly concentrated in the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its breathtaking volcanic landscapes. It is a large hotspot area because of its location around the Ring of Fire, where its tectonic plates have been known to be beneath the North American as well as Eurasian plates.
Chile: Lying along the Andes where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate, Chile is known for its 90 active volcanoes, including Mount Villarrica, Mount Llaima, and Mount Calbuco. The volcanic activities help to shape the country's fertile valleys and scenic landscapes. It is also the volcanic rocks in Chile that are of geological importance.
How Dangerous Are Indonesian Volcanoes?
According to Earth.com, Indonesia's island chain was formed through volcanic activity caused by one of Earth's tectonic plates sliding beneath another, a process known as subduction. While magma composition can vary based on the Earth's mantle at different locations, the mechanism in Indonesia consistently produces powerful volcanic eruptions.
The characteristics of Indonesian volcanoes are quite unique in terms of their formation process, eruption and impact. They are not only always explosive but also have a long period. It can be seen in the activity of Semeru, which erupts almost every day.
According to the Emergency Events Database (EMDAT), volcanic eruptions rank as the third most frequent natural disaster in Indonesia, following floods and earthquakes. They also account for the second-highest number of casualties among natural disasters in the country.
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