The Kanlaon Volcano, located on Negros Island, exhibited heightened activity on Saturday, releasing ash and logging 23 volcanic earthquakes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Key Developments:
- Ash Emission: The ash emission event lasted 111 minutes.
- Volcanic Quakes: Among the 23 recorded quakes, three were volcanic tremors lasting between 4 and 111 minutes.
- Sulfur Dioxide Emission: The volcano emitted 3,469 tonnes of sulfur dioxide, a significant indicator of volcanic activity.
- Plume Activity: Voluminous plumes rising up to 500 meters were observed, drifting southwest, signifying continuous degassing.
Current Alert Level
The volcano remains at Alert Level 3, which indicates intensified magmatic unrest. PHIVOLCS has warned of potential hazards, including:
- Sudden explosive eruptions
- Lava flows or effusions
- Ashfall
- Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs)
- Rockfalls
- Lahars during heavy rains
Safety Measures
PHIVOLCS has strongly advised the public to evacuate within the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and prohibited flying aircraft near the volcano due to risks of ash and debris.
Recent Eruptive History
Kanlaon has displayed significant activity in recent months:
- December 9, 2024: An explosive eruption led to the raising of the alert level from 2 to 3.
- June 3, 2024: The volcano emitted plumes rising 5,000 meters into the atmosphere.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urge nearby communities to stay vigilant.