The Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano in Indonesia erupted violently and sent ash clouds more than 8 kilometers around 5 miles into the air. It took place at 10:56 pm local time on Thursday, March 20th 2025. Short term impacts include canceled flights from Bali and evacuations of the local residents. The eruption also raises concerns over climate and environmental implications.
Volcanic eruption emits a lot of ash, sulfur dioxide and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Ash clouds can limit the amount of sunlight that penetrates into the area which will cause a temporary cooling of air temperatures in the surrounding places.
Sulfur dioxide will form sulfate aerosols which reflect sunlight and cause temporary short-term changes to the climate. The long term impact will depend on the amount of emissions and the pattern of circulation in the atmosphere.
The eruption poses a risk for regional ecosystems. Volcanic ash may harm agricultural crops, pollute water supplies and reduce air quality impacting both animal and human health. Indonesia’s geological agency also issued a warning about possible lava floods and volcanic mudflows (lahars) which can completely destroy the nearby forests and farmland.
Home to nearly 130 active volcanoes, Indonesia is susceptible to seismic activity as it is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an area where tectonic plates cause high seismic activity. Eruptions like this continue to occur so understanding the environmental impact of these events is important. Volcanic activity is a natural part of Earth’s system but mitigation strategies to limit eruptions and to protect communities and ecosystems from longer term environmental problems is vital.
