Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Flores, NTT, was reported to have erupted on Tuesday (17/06/2025). Shortly after, around 18 minutes later, Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata Regency was also reported to have erupted. As a result of these eruptions, the status of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has now been raised to level IV or "Awas," while Mount Ile Lewotolok is at level II or "Waspada."
Dua kejadian tersebut mengingatkan kita pada erupsi lainnya. Misalnya, pada 2024 lalu, letusan Gunung Lewatobi juga disusul dengan erupsi gunung berapi lainnya, salah satunya Marapi.
Why can volcanoes erupt simultaneously? , right? There are several underlying possibilities for that. Here's the explanation.
Why can volcanoes erupt simultaneously?
The simultaneous eruption of volcanoes in close proximity certainly raises questions. Can eruptions between volcanoes be contagious? In fact, there is indeed potential for this. Here are some reasons why.
1. Equal Arcs
Have you ever seen a row of volcanoes located close to each other? Well, it's possible that these volcanoes are part of the same volcanic arc. A volcanic arc is a chain of volcanoes that can extend for hundreds to thousands of miles.
This arc can have several volcanoes at once. When located in the same arc, there is a possibility that these mountains could erupt simultaneously. This is because the tectonic arrangement beneath their crusts is the same. If one tectonic setting undergoes activity that triggers an eruption, two or three volcanoes within the same arc could be affected.
For example in Indonesia. The activity of Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta and Central Java could possibly run concurrently with Mount Semeru in East Java. This is because the two mountains are known to be located in the same arc, namely the Sunda Arc.
2. The same reservoir magma
Dilansir USGS The same magma reservoir can cause two nearby volcanoes to erupt almost simultaneously. For example, the eruption of Mount Novarupta in Alaska in 1912, which was triggered by magma from the reservoir beneath Mount Katmai.
Meanwhile, the opposite can also occur. For example, the case of Mount Kilauea in Hawaii, which is located on the slope of Mauna Loa volcano. When one erupts, the other is not affected because their magma reservoirs are different.
3. Same eruption interval
If we look at the previous explanation, two volcanoes must erupt if they are on the same plate or have the same magma reservoir. Then, how about the five active volcanoes in Indonesia that erupted almost simultaneously even though they are not on the same plate or magma reservoir?
Well , the cause of simultaneous volcanic eruptions may also be influenced by factors outside the composition of the volcano itself, such as the interval between eruptions. Each volcano is known to have a repeating pattern of eruptions at certain intervals.
For example, Mount A erupts every 5 years, while Mount B erupts every 10 years. Both have the potential to erupt simultaneously at multiples of 10 years. As a result, the mountains seem to be "agreeing" to erupt.
4. Rainfall factor
Extreme rainfall is known to be able to trigger volcanic eruptions, you know. Although it doesn't always become the main trigger, rain can contribute to the eruption of a volcano that was already preparing to experience it.
Dilansir Science , heavy rainfall can increase underground pressure in the area around the volcano. The rainwater that falls accumulates and seeps into the pores of the underground rocks. When the pressure increases, cracks will form on the side of the volcano.
The cracks open the outer part of the mountain and cause it to release magma, resulting in an eruption. Similar conditions can also be caused by high pressure and strong winds, thus disrupting the balance of the sensitive peak of the mountain.
The reason why volcanoes can erupt simultaneously needs to be understood, you know. Especially for the Indonesian people whose areas are surrounded by volcanoes. Knowing the cause can help us be better prepared. disaster mitigation .
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