Minor Explosion Reported at Kanlaon Volcano

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY— The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a minor explosion at the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 3:11 p.m.

The explosion lasted for two minutes, according to seismic and infrasound records. However, the event was barely visible via the IP Camera on the southern side of the volcano due to cloudy weather.

Ashfall was reported in Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental. Residents in Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra, also reported ashfall and a strong sulfuric odor.

This incident occurred nearly two months after the Dec. 9, 2024, explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, which displaced thousands of residents across Negros Island.

The volcano’s first eruption in 2024 occurred on June 3, causing lahar flows in areas near the edifice.

Currently, about 12,000 evacuees remain in various evacuation camps on Negros Island as volcanic activities persist.

Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 3 over Kanlaon Volcano, indicating magmatic unrest.

As of Feb. 6, Phivolcs reported 15 volcanic earthquakes, 300 meters tall plume with continued degassing, occasional ash emission, and inflated volcano edifice. A total of 3,805 tonnes of sulfur dioxide per day on Feb. 5 was recorded.