RRI.CO.ID, Kupang - The Mount Ile Lewotolok Observation Post in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, reports that seismic activity has reached 3,544 eruption events between January 1 and January 18, 2026.

Stanislaus Ara Kian, an official at the Mount Ile Lewotolok Monitoring Post, conveyed that the volcano's eruption intensity is on the rise. Speaking from Kupang on Friday, January 23, 2026, he noted that gust-related earthquakes have also increased, totaling 5,316 occurrences during the same period.

"Visual observations from January 1 to 18, 2026, show an increase in both gust activity and eruptions," he said, as quoted by Antara.

The eruption column has reached heights of up to 500 meters above the peak, with eruptions occasionally accompanied by weak to moderate rumbling sounds.

To assess the magnitude of seismic energy, officials utilized the Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement (RSAM) method. These measurements indicate a sharp increase in seismic energy throughout this period.

Additionally, deformation measurements conducted via Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) revealed fluctuations in the slope distance. However, nighttime measurements at "Reflector 2" have shown a trend that remains relatively flat or stable. ***