An explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano, located in the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, at 6:51 p.m. on Monday evening.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the eruption produced a “voluminous and incandescent” plume that quickly rose to 5,000 meters above the vent.
The eruption also led to probable short pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) approximately two to three kilometers down the southern and southeastern slopes based on IP and thermal camera monitors.
According to the state volcanology bureau, the eruption lasted six minutes based on the seismic record, following a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake.
Coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors have since been reported in communities on western slopes of the volcano.
As of the 8 p.m. Phivolcs bulletin, only two weak volcanic earthquakes have been recorded.
The bureau said Kanlaon has been exhibiting above background earthquake activity for the past month, as well as degassing relatively anomalous sulfur dioxide that has averaged approximately 1,273 tonnes/day for the year.
Phivolcs raised the status of Kanlaon Volcano from Alert Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest), meaning there is “current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to further explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption.”
The bureau strongly advises the public to be vigilant and avoid the four kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall, and landslides.
“In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Kanlaon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” Phivolcs said.
The bureau said it will closely monitor the Kanlaon Volcano and communicate new developments to stakeholders.
