Kanlaon Volcano Spews Ash, Heightening Eruption Concerns

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, which started at 11:45 a.m., was accompanied by a low-frequency volcanic earthquake. Phivolcs issued a warning that ashfall could affect communities northwest to west of the volcano 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 summit crater due to the threat of pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, lava flows, rockfalls, and other related 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 from a sudden eruption affecting aircraft safety.