This is the dramatic moment a towering 10-kilometre ash column rose into the sky as Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupted in Indonesia early this morning.

The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre reported that the volcano, located in East Nusa Tenggara, burst into activity at 1:35 am local time today.

Authorities have issued a red-level aviation warning - the highest alert - advising aircraft to avoid flying below 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) near the crater due to the risk of volcanic ash disrupting flight paths.

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

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