The Kanlaon Volcano in Negros province erupted explosively on Monday afternoon, leading the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to elevate its alert status to Level 3 (magmatic unrest).
Key Details of the Eruption
- Time of Eruption: 3:03 p.m.
- Plume Height: 3,000 meters initially; later updated to 4 kilometers.
- Direction: Plumes drifted west-southwest.
- Activity: Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) were observed descending the southeastern slopes.
Impacts and Warnings
The eruption, described as “brief but strong,” lasted approximately seven minutes, according to PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol. Ashfall may affect nearby areas, including the cities of Bago and La Carlota, and the municipalities of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Isabela in Negros Occidental.
Local government units have been advised to enforce evacuation within a 6-kilometer radius from the summit and prepare for further potential eruptions or secondary hazards like lahars (volcanic mudflows).
Volcanic Activity Prior to the Eruption
Earlier in the day, Kanlaon registered:
- 6 volcanic earthquakes
- A 16-minute ash emission event
- Sulfur dioxide output of 4,638 tonnes on Sunday
- A moderate 300-meter plume
This latest eruption follows an earlier explosive event on June 3, which led to heightened monitoring.
Residents near rivers originating from the volcano’s slopes were urged to remain vigilant due to potential lahar flows.
PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division Chief Mariton Bornas confirmed that the eruption has currently ceased. However, authorities warn that further explosive activity is possible.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.