By Brian Campued
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a “moderately explosive” eruption occurred at the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano early Tuesday morning.
Phivolcs said that based on seismic and infrasound data, the eruption at Kanlaon occurred around 2:55 a.m. and lasted for five minutes—producing “graying voluminous plume that rose approximately 4.5 kilometers above the vent,” which drifted southwest.
Rumbling sounds from the eruption were heard and felt at Barangay Pula in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental and in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, Phivolcs added.
Thin ashfall were reported in several localities in Negros Occidental:
- La Carlota
- Barangay Cubay
- Barangay San Miguel
- Barangay Yubo
- Barangay Ara-al
- Bago City
- Barangay Ilijan
- Barangay Binubuhan
- La Castellana
- Barangay Biak-na-Bato
- Barangay Sag-ang
- Barangay Mansalanao
Meanwhile, incandescent pyroclastic density currents (PDCs)—a mixture of fragmented volcanic particles, hot gases, and ash—descended the southern slopes within 2 km of the crater.
“Large ballistic fragments were also observed to have been thrown around the crater within a few hundred meters and caused burning of vegetation near the volcano summit,” the agency said.
Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Kanlaon, indicating a state of magmatic unrest. Phivolcs added that there are also “increased changes of short-lived moderately explosive eruptions that could generate life-threatening volcanic hazards.”
Kanlaon last erupted on April 8, generating a 4,000-meter-tall plume of ash and volcanic gases as well as PDCs.
Phivolcs reiterated that communities living within the 6-km radius from the summit crater should remain evacuated and that those affected by ashfall should wear protective masks or use a wet cloth to prevent ash inhalation
-jpv
