Phivolcs Raised Mount Kanlaon Volcano’s Alert Level
KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTION – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) raised Mt. Kanlaon volcano’s alert level.
Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano on Negros Island, erupted for six minutes on Monday night, producing a 5,000-meter plume, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs elevated Mt. Kanlaon’s alert status from Alert Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest), indicating “there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to further explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption.”
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Phivolcs reported that the eruption generated a large, glowing plume that quickly rose to 5,000 meters above the vent, with possible short pyroclastic density currents extending two to three kilometers down the southern and southeastern slopes.
The eruption was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake, the report added.
Phivolcs also noted reports of coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors in communities on the volcano’s western slopes.
“Phivolcs maintains close monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano, and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders,” it added.
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In Negros Occidental, local government units near Mt. Kanlaon include La Castellana town and La Carlota City, both having communities at the volcano’s base. Other areas with nearby villages include the cities of San Carlos and Bago, as well as the towns of Moises Padilla and Murcia.
The La Castellana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office advised that it is preparing for a possible escalation of the alert level for Mt. Kanlaon, recommending residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to wear face masks.
Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, ordered the evacuation of residents from four villages following Monday night’s eruption.
Residents of Barangay Masulog, Pula, Lumapao, and Malaiba, along with their livestock, were instructed to evacuate immediately as these areas lie within the permanent danger zone, Cardenas said.
According to the report, the mayor has mobilized all resources to ensure residents’ safety following the eruption. Entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited due to the increased risk of sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions.
Aviation authorities were advised to instruct pilots to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit.
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