Lewotobi is a stratovolcano located in Indonesia at an elevation of 1,703 meters (-8.542 latitude, 122.775 longitude) within a subduction zone where the crustal thickness is unknown. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program record, the volcano has a confirmed total of 24 eruptions spanning from the 17th century CE to the 21st century CE.
Historical Eruption Timeline and Century Distribution
The historical record for Lewotobi begins in the 17th century CE and extends through modern observations. Confirmed eruptions are distributed across four centuries:
- 17th century CE: 1 eruption (earliest recorded starting around 1675 CE, with a start year uncertainty of 25 years)
- 19th century CE: 6 eruptions (including documented activity such as an event starting on July 2, 1889 CE)
- 20th century CE: 13 eruptions (including activity involving Lewetobi Perempuan ending on December 25, 1935 CE)
- 21st century CE: 4 eruptions (including a Volcanic Explosivity Index [VEI] 4 eruption spanning from December 23, 2023 CE to October 18, 2025 CE, and an eruption starting on March 3, 2026 CE)
Across the complete collection of 24 confirmed eruptions, 23 include observations of the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The largest recorded VEI in the official record is 4.0.
Understanding the Record and Activity Areas
The official records encompass distinct activity areas associated with the volcanic complex, such as Lewotobi Lakilaki and Lewetobi Perempuan. Eruption entries utilize reported observation methods ranging from historical accounts to contemporary monitoring. The latest confirmed eruption in the database started on March 3, 2026 CE, and concluded on March 25, 2026 CE. The profile's last-known eruption year is recorded as 2026 CE, with retrieval of the dataset occurring in August 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What type of volcano is Lewotobi and where is it located?
Lewotobi is a stratovolcano located in Indonesia.
When was Lewotobi's earliest recorded eruption?
The earliest recorded eruption in the official Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program record for Lewotobi occurred in 1675 CE, with a start year uncertainty of 25 years.
How many confirmed eruptions does Lewotobi have?
The official record documents 24 confirmed eruptions for Lewotobi.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Lewotobi?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Lewotobi is 4.0.
Image credits
- MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.