A dark ash plume rises from the summit of Kanlaon Volcano, reaching approximately 1.2 kilometers into the sky.
via Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has issued a critical notice regarding “increased volcanic ash emission at Kanlaon Volcano.” Since 11:45 AM today, “dark ash has been issuing from the summit of Kanlaon Volcano accompanied by weak low frequency volcanic earthquakes.” This activity has produced a dark plume roughly 1.2 kilometers tall that is drifting to the northwest.
The advisory warns that ash emission has been ongoing, and ashfall is expected to affect communities in Negros Occidental, particularly those located northwest to west of the volcano. PHIVOLCS stated that “all other parameters of the volcano remain elevated but are generally unchanged.”
In response to the escalating activity, the public is reminded that “Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest)” has been raised over Kanlaon Volcano. This level indicates “increased chances for sudden and even stronger explosive eruptions to occur,” which could pose life-threatening volcanic hazards to nearby communities.
Communities within a six-kilometer radius of the summit crater must remain evacuated due to the risks of “pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), ballistic projectiles, and ashfall, as well as lava flows, rockfalls, and other related hazards.” Local government units and disaster risk reduction management councils (DRRM) are urged to monitor weather conditions closely, particularly for heavy rainfall that could lead to lahars and sediment-laden streamflows from the volcano’s southern flanks.
Specifically, barangays in La Castellana and Canlaon City, which have previously been affected by PDCs, along with those downstream that experienced lahars in June 2024, are at heightened risk for “channel-confined lahars in case of heavy rains.”
Civil aviation authorities have also been alerted, advising pilots to “avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit” as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
Lastly, local government units and DRRM councils are encouraged to prepare communities within the DOST-PHIVOLCS Pyroclastic Density Currents Hazard Map for potential evacuations in the event of escalating unrest and the threat of a hazardous explosive eruption.
DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano and assures that “any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.” Residents are urged to stay informed and heed the warnings issued by local authorities to ensure their safety.
📸 Miss Ching Lagawing
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