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PHIVOLCS: Kanlaon Volcano erupts

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental erupted at around 6:51 p.m., emitting plumes that rose to 5,000 meters.

This prompted Phivolcs to increase to Alert Level 2.

A photo from Ethan Asentista-Khoo showed the plumes released

According to PHIVOLCS, sporadic explosions are also observed with slight inflation or swelling of the volcano’s edifice.

“This serves as a notice of alert level raise from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 of Kanlaon Volcano,” the PHIVOLCS said in an advisory issued at 8 p.m., on Monday.

According to PHIVOLCS, an explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano at 6:51 PM.

“The eruption produced a voluminous and incandescent plume that rapidly rose to 5,000 meters above the vent and probable short pyroclastic density currents or PDCs approximately 2-3 kilometers down the southern and southeastern slopes based on IP and thermal camera monitors,” it said.

Courtesy: Phivolcs

“The eruption lasted six (6) minutes based on the seismic record and was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake. Reports of coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors have been reported in communities on western slopes of the volcano. As of present, only two weak volcanic earthquakes have been recorded,” they added.

“In view thereof, DOST-PHIVOLCS is raising the Alert Level of Kanlaon Volcano from Alert Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest),” they said.

This meant that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to further explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption.

“The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and avoid the four (4) 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. DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders,” it also said.

Ash Falls

Meanwhile, due to the recent magmatic eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, ashfall is said to likely to occur in these following areas:

NEGROS ORIENTAL

• western portion of Canlaon City

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

• La Castellana

• La Carlota City

• Pontevedra

• southeastern portion of Bago City

• Valladolid

• San Enrique

• Hinigaran