Daily Reports
Explosive Eruption of Kanlaon Volcano Raises Alert Level in Central Philippines
An impressive explosive eruption occurred at the summit crater of the Kanlaon volcano in the central Philippines, creating a column of smoke and a plume of ash reaching five kilometers into the sky. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) announced the event on Monday. In response to the increased volcanic activity, the alert register was raised from level 1, “abnormal”, to level 2, indicating “increasing unrest” with risks of new explosive eruptions looming. The warning system has a total of five levels, according to Reuters.
Immediate Impact and Public Safety Measures
The eruption of Mount Kanlaon, located on the island of Negros, began around 7 p.m. local time (11 a.m. GMT). Authorities quickly alerted local residents to wear masks to protect themselves from potential ash fall, though no evacuation orders have been issued as of now. Early images, widely shared by Philippine media, showed a vast column of black smoke rising dramatically as nighttime approached.
"The eruption produced a voluminous and incandescent plume which quickly rose to 5,000 meters above the mouth of the volcano," PHIVOLCS stated in a press release. The event, marked by a six-minute explosion, was preceded by a relatively strong earthquake and has resulted in ash falls and sulfur smells reported in the western regions of the volcano.
Ongoing Volcanic Activity and Safety Precautions
PHIVOLCS currently reports only two minor volcanic earthquakes, but stresses that the site remains under significant unrest due to shallow magmatic processes that could lead to further explosive or even dangerous magma eruptions. A four-kilometer 'permanent danger' zone around the volcano has been established to minimize the risk of sudden explosions, landslides, and other hazards.
The public is advised to remain vigilant and avoid this zone. Communities downwind of the Kanlaon crater are advised to cover their noses and mouths with clean, damp cloths or anti-dust masks in case of ashfall. Authorities have also been urged to warn pilots to steer clear of the summit, as volcanic ash poses severe risks to aviation.
The Kanlaon volcano has displayed increased seismic activity for the past month, releasing abnormal levels of sulfur dioxide averaging 1,273 tonnes per day. Kanlaon, one of the 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines, last erupted in December 2017. The archipelago nation lies on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' a zone of intense seismic activity that hosts more than half of the world's volcanoes.
- Local resident Ethan Asentista-Khoo, 35, living in the village of Pula near the volcano, described the eruption as sounding 'like thunder.' Such eruptions are indeed perilous, posing risks from lava flows and ash fallout.
- The Pacific 'Ring of Fire' is known for its frequent and often destructive volcanic and seismic activities, accounting for over half of the world's volcanoes. This makes the communities living in these areas more prone to natural disasters, hence the heightened alert and preparedness measures advised by PHIVOLCS.
