Lewotolo, Stratovolcano in Lembata Regency, Indonesia.
Mount Lewotolo is a stratovolcano on the northwestern peninsula of Lembata island, East Nusa Tenggara. Its summit holds a large crescent-shaped old crater called Metong Lamataro by residents, and a younger cone on its southeastern rim forms the highest point at about 1,423 m, with an active crater venting yellow solfatara and sulfur crystals on its east, north and south flanks.
Eruptions of Ile Lewotolok are recorded from 1660, 1819 and 1849; the 5–6 October 1852 blast damaged the surrounding area and opened a new crater with solfatara fields on the east-southeast flank. Smaller eruptions followed in 1864, 1889 and 1920, and lava, ash and toxic gas emissions occurred in 1939 and 1951. On 29 November 2020 an explosive eruption lasting about 500 seconds sent an ash column to 4,000 m and forced evacuations; PVMBG raised the status to Siaga that day.
In Lamaholot the mountain is called Ile Lewotolok or Ile Ape: ile lewo tolok means "mountain of the collapsed village/land", while ile ape means "fire mountain". The name Lewotolok refers to the place where the mountain stands. The large crescent-shaped crater at the summit is known to residents as Metong Lamataro.
The usual climbing route starts from Atowatung or Baupukang village in Ile Api district, on the mountain's north side, along a grass-covered footpath with slopes of 30 to 40 degrees; the ascent to the summit generally takes about 5 hours. After the 29 November 2020 eruption, PVMBG raised the alert level to III (Siaga) and residents were advised to stay outside a 4 km radius from the crater, with warnings of cold lava flows during heavy rain.
The summit crater is a crescent-shaped old caldera called Metong Lamataro by residents; the current highest peak, about 1,423 m, is a younger cone built on its southeast rim. Yellow solfatara vents steam across the cone, and sulphur crystals from sublimation are found on its east, north and south slopes.
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