RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Three active volcanoes in eastern Indonesia erupted in rapid succession on Friday morning, sending plumes of volcanic ash into the sky and prompting authorities to reinforce safety perimeters, according to the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

The volcanic activities were concentrated across two provinces, involving Mount Dukono and Mount Ibu in North Maluku, and Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The eruptions occurred within less than two hours of each other, throwing thick ash columns ranging between 400 and 500 meters above their respective peaks.

"The volcanic activity of the three volcanoes occurred close together, launching volcanic ash columns ranging between 400 and 500 meters above their respective crater peaks," said Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, in Jakarta on Friday, June 12, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Volcanic activity unfolded in quick succession across eastern Indonesia on Friday morning. The first eruption occurred at Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, North Maluku, at 6.15 a.m. local time. Less than an hour later, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted at 7.04 a.m. local time. The sequence concluded with an eruption at Mount Ibu in West Halmahera, North Maluku, at 7.45 a.m. local time.

At Mount Dukono, observers recorded a thick white-to-gray ash column rising 500 meters, drifting toward the northwest. The seismogram recorded a maximum amplitude of 12 millimeters, and officials noted that the eruptive phase was ongoing.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki launched a 400-meter gray ash cloud toward the west and northwest. Instrumental readings at the site detected a substantial maximum amplitude of 47.3 millimeters, lasting for 46 seconds.

Meanwhile, Mount Ibu logged a 400-meter-high column of dense gray ash blowing westward. The eruption registered a maximum seismic amplitude of 28 millimeters, accompanied by an audible rumbling that lasted for approximately 45 seconds.

Following the synchronized activity, the Geological Agency maintained the alert status for Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki at Level III (Alert), while keeping both Mount Ibu and Mount Dukono at Level II (Caution).

Due to the elevated Level III status at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, Saria urged communities and tourists to strictly avoid any activities within a five-kilometer radius of the active crater. She explicitly warned residents living on the slopes, particularly in Dulipali, Klatanlo, and Hokeng Jaya villages, to prepare for the threat of cold lava mudflows (lahar) along local river channels during heavy rain.

For those near Mount Ibu and Mount Dukono, the agency instructed the public to maintain a safe distance of two to four kilometers from the craters and to wear protective masks and eyewear to guard against respiratory hazards from falling volcanic ash. ***