Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted, shooting volcanic ash 10km into the sky and forcing authorities to raise the alert system to its highest level.

Located in East Nusa Tenggara province, the volcano erupted on Wednesday for around nine minutes, the country's Geological Agency said in a statement.

Lewotobi also erupted two hours before, sending a large plume of volcanic ash into the air.

The agency raised its alert level to the highest point after recording "significant rising of the volcano's activities" since Monday, its head, Muhammad Wafid, said.

"People living near the volcano should be aware of the potential volcanic mudflow if heavy rain occurs," Wafid said, adding that people should clear a six- to seven-kilometre area around the site.

The volcano last erupted in

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