In Indonesia, the Lewatobi volcano erupted again today, launching a colossal ash cloud into the sky, just days after a deadly eruption on November 3, 2024.

Volcanic activity at Lewatobi has surged significantly since late October, culminating last Sunday in a powerful eruption that claimed the lives of ten people. During this initial blast, volcanic ash and searing lava bombs rained down on nearby villages, igniting homes and forcing residents to evacuate.

The volcano erupted once more today, spewing an immense ash cloud that reached an altitude of 10 miles (16 kilometers).

The collapse of this ash cloud on Thursday wreaked havoc, destroying hundreds of homes and public infrastructure. Authorities have yet to confirm if there were additional casualties in this latest eruption.

When a volcanic eruption peaks, a collapsing ash cloud or side eruption can trigger a devastating pyroclastic flow.

These superheated clouds of lava, gas, rocks, and ash surge down the volcano’s slopes at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour, reaching temperatures as high as 850 degrees Celsius. Anything caught in their path is incinerated or obliterated.