Kanlaon Volcano Spews Ash, Heightens Alert

On Monday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a significant ash emission from Kanlaon Volcano, with a dark plume reaching up to 1.2 kilometers in height. The emission started at 11:45 a.m. and was accompanied by a low-frequency volcanic earthquake. Phivolcs issued a warning about expected ashfall in communities northwest to west of the volcano, located in Negros Occidental. Although other volcanic parameters remain high, no significant changes have been observed recently. Since December 9, Kanlaon Volcano has been on Alert Level 3, signaling a heightened risk of sudden and intense explosive eruptions that could be hazardous to nearby populations. Evacuation remains mandatory within a six-kilometer radius of the volcano’s summit due to the threat of pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, lava flows, rockfalls, and other dangers. Phivolcs also cautioned about the potential for heavy rainfall to cause lahars and sediment-laden streamflows on the volcano’s southern slopes. Specifically, areas like La Castellana and Canlaon City, previously affected by pyroclastic density currents and lahars in June 2024, are at risk of channel-confined lahars during heavy rains. Additionally, Phivolcs advised aviation authorities to warn pilots against flying close to the volcano’s summit due to the risk of ash impacting aircraft safety.