Fact Check: "Danger zone expanded to five miles from the crater!"
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in Indonesia erupted, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the highest category. As part of this response, the danger zone surrounding the volcano was expanded to 8 kilometers, which is approximately 5 miles from the crater. This information was confirmed by Indonesia's Geology Agency, which noted that the volcano released significant amounts of ash, reaching heights of 10,000 meters (about 32,800 feet) during the eruption (NY Post, Sky News, Yahoo News).
The eruption was characterized by a dramatic increase in volcanic activity, with reports indicating that the volcano experienced 50 significant events in just two hours, a stark contrast to the usual 8 to 10 daily activities. The ash cloud from the eruption was visible from cities located up to 150 kilometers (nearly 93 miles) away (NY Post, Sky News).
Analysis
The claim that the danger zone has been expanded to five miles from the crater is accurate and supported by multiple credible sources. The reports from both the NY Post and Sky News corroborate the information provided by Indonesia's Geology Agency, stating explicitly that the danger zone was set to 8 kilometers (approximately 5 miles) from the volcano's crater (NY Post, Sky News).
The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news outlets that report on significant events, particularly in regions prone to volcanic activity like Indonesia. The NY Post, while sometimes criticized for sensationalism, provided factual reporting in this instance. Sky News is known for its more straightforward news coverage, adding to the credibility of the information presented.
In addition to these sources, other reports, including those from Yahoo News and the Seattle Times, also confirm the expansion of the danger zone to 5 miles (Yahoo News, Seattle Times). The consistency across these various outlets strengthens the validity of the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that the danger zone around Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has been expanded to five miles from the crater is True. This conclusion is based on multiple credible sources that confirm the details of the eruption and the subsequent safety measures implemented by authorities.
Sources
- Volcano alert elevated to highest level after Indonesia's ...
- Volcano erupts in Indonesia, unleashing 6.8 miles-high ...
- Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts ...
- Indonesia volcano continues to erupt
- Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts, ...
- Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts ...
