Kanlaon Volcano is Currently Erupting According to PHIVOLCS
KANLAON VOLCANO – The active andesitic stratovolcano and the highest mountain on the island of Negros is currently erupting according to PHIVOLCS.
Kanlaon, or Mount Kanlaon, is an active stratovolcano located in the Visayan region of the Philippines. It’s the highest mountain on the island of Negros, standing at 2,465 meters (8,087 feet) above sea level. It’s an iconic peak known for its eruptions and volcanic activity, as well as being the highest point in the Visayas.
The name “Kanlaon” is derived from the Visayan goddess Laon, associated with creation, agriculture, and justice, with the name itself meaning “the ancient one.” Over the years, the volcano has seen several eruptions, mainly of phreatic nature (steam-driven explosions) but with some more intense activity like Strombolian eruptions, which spew incandescent materials.
Kanlaon is located on the border of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and has an active volcanic history with over 30 eruptions since 1819. The last eruption was in December 2024. It’s part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and is closely monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) due to its persistent volcanic activity.
The volcano is surrounded by several towns and cities, including Canlaon, La Carlota, and San Carlos. Despite the risks posed by its eruptions, Kanlaon is a prominent feature in local culture and geography.
At 3:03 PM today, 9 December 2024, Kanlaon Volcano erupted explosively, sending a massive plume 3,000 meters into the sky, drifting west-southwest. The eruption also triggered pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) that descended the slopes of the volcano’s southeastern side, as detected by thermal cameras.
In response, PHIVOLCS raised the alert level from 2 (increasing unrest) to 3 (magmatic unrest), indicating that a magmatic eruption has begun, with the potential for more explosive events. Authorities have urged local governments to evacuate residents within a 6-kilometer radius from the summit and prepare for additional evacuations if the situation worsens.
Earlier today, PHIVOLCS shared that Kanlaon Volcano had six volcanic earthquakes and a 16-minute ash emission event. On Sunday, it also released 4,638 tonnes of sulfur dioxide and produced a moderate plume that reached 300 meters in height. Given the ongoing “increased unrest” following the explosive eruption on June 3, Kanlaon remains at Alert Level 2.