Mount Lewotobi volcano erupted, sending an ash column 60,000ft into the sky.

Authorities confirmed the eruption happened at around 11:05 am local time today, July 7.

Footage shows a thick cloud of ash rising above homes in East Nusa Tenggara Province.

A monitoring post officer said: 'Visually, the ash column was observed to be grey to black in colour with thick intensity. It was leaning towards the North, Northeast and Northwest.'

The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 47.3 millimetres and a duration of approximately 26 seconds.

Officials also reported a loud booming sound accompanying the blast.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki is currently designated Alert Level IV, the highest level on the national volcanic alert system, indicating ongoing hazardous volcanic activity.

Lewotobi has two twin craters - Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan - and has shown increased activity since 2023.

It is located on Flores Island, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high seismic and volcanic activity due to the movement of tectonic plates.