A RED alert has been issued for air traffic after a massive 10-mile high ash cloud exploded from a volcano in Indonesia.
Astonishing footage showed plumes of ash pouring into the sky from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki.
The Australian government has issued a red aviation alert following the eruption
XMount Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted[/caption]
Visual observations taken over the last two days saw a significant increase in volcanic activity from Mount Lewotobi
The Australian government has issued a “red” aviation alert following the intense eruption.
And Japan’s Meteorological Agency is investigating whether the eruption – with a 16,000-metre plume of ash – could spark a tsunami.
The organisation said: “The possibility of a tsunami hitting Japan is currently under investigation.
“If this eruption were to cause a tsunami to reach Japan, it is expected to arrive as early as 10pm in the Okinawa Prefecture area.”
They added: “The expected maximum height of the tsunami is unknown.”
Terrifying footage taken from a residential area nearby shows a gargantuan plume of and orange and grey smoke erupting from the volcano.
The humongous mushroom cloud towered over horrified locals who watched on as dark smoke was spewed out into the air.
Visual observations taken over the last two days saw a significant increase in volcanic activity from Mount Lewotobi.
The country’s volcanology agency said it had raised the volcano’s alert to its highest and most dangerous level.
It also warned of potential lava flows if it rains.
Volcano Observation Post Officer Yohanes Kolli Sorywutun confirmed the eruption in a statement.
He said: “There was an eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 17:35 WITA.”
He added that there was an “observed ash column height of 10,000m above the peak (11,584 m above sea level)”.
Authorities in Indonesia said: “The public and tourists are advised not to carry out activities within a radius of 7km and the southwest-northeast sector 8 km from the eruption center.”
They also advised all those nearby to “remain calm and follow the directions of the local government”.
“People around disaster-prone areas should be aware of the potential for lava floods if heavy rain occurs,” authorities also warned.
They provided instructions to the public if they encountered raining ash.
“Residents affected by ash rain are advised to use masks or nose and mouth covers,” officials said.
In November last year, 10 people died after Mount Lewotobi spewed a fiery column of lava.
Hot ashes hit several villages, burning down houses including a convent of Catholic nuns.
Indonesia sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates.
In April 2024, a remote volcano in Indonesia erupted and sent a tower of ash more than five kilometres into the sky.
Thousands were evacuated and an international airport was closed after Mount Ruang erupted several times.
Within the same month, the 725-metre-tall volcano had already erupted more than half a dozen times, forcing more than 6,000 people to flee their homes.
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