Kanlaon Volcano’s Ash Emission Raises Eruption Concerns

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY—The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a notice Tuesday regarding increased volcanic ash emissions at Kanlaon Volcano.

Phivolcs reported that since 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, dark ash emissions from the volcano’s summit have been accompanied by weak, low-frequency volcanic earthquakes.

The ash emissions have produced a dark plume approximately 1.2 kilometers high, drifting northwest. Ashfall is expected over communities in Negros Occidental located northwest and west of the volcano.

Phivolcs stated that while other volcanic parameters remain elevated, they are generally unchanged.

The public is reminded that Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest. This signifies a higher likelihood of sudden, stronger explosive eruptions that could pose life-threatening hazards to nearby communities.

Residents within a six-kilometer radius of the summit crater must stay evacuated due to risks from pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), ballistic projectiles, ashfall, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

Local government units and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) councils are urged to monitor weather conditions closely. Heavy rainfall could trigger lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels draining the volcano’s southern flanks.

Phivolcs specifically warned that barangays in La Castellana and Canlaon City previously affected by PDCs, as well as downstream areas that experienced lahars and muddy streamflows in June 2024, may be vulnerable to channel-confined lahars during heavy rains.

Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit, as ash from sudden eruptions poses significant risks to aircraft.

Phivolcs further recommended that local government units and DRRM councils prepare for possible evacuations using the DOST-Phivolcs Pyroclastic Density Currents Hazard Map, especially if volcanic activity escalates toward a hazardous, explosive eruption.

The agency assured the public of continued close monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano, with updates to be communicated promptly to all concerned stakeholders.