Phivolcs Raised Mt. Kanlaon Volcano’s Alert Level
KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTION – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) raised Mount Kanlaon’s alert level from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2.
Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano on Negros Island, erupted for six minutes on Monday night, creating a 5,000-meter plume, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs elevated the volcano’s alert level from Alert Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest), indicating “there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to further explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption.”
The eruption produced a large, glowing plume that rose swiftly to 5,000 meters above the vent, and potentially short pyroclastic density currents flowed two to three kilometers down the southern and southeastern slopes, Phivolcs reported.
The eruption was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake, the report noted.
Phivolcs also reported instances of coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors in communities on the volcano’s western slopes.
“Phivolcs maintains close monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano, and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders,” it added.
In Negros Occidental, the local government units near Mt. Kanlaon include La Castellana town and La Carlota City, which have communities at the volcano’s base.
Other areas with villages near the volcano are the cities of San Carlos and Bago, and the towns of Moises Padilla and Murcia.
The La Castellana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office advised in an advisory that it is preparing for a potential escalation of Mt. Kanlaon’s alert level and recommended residents, particularly those with respiratory illnesses, to wear face masks.
Following the eruption, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, ordered the evacuation of residents and their livestock from four villages within the permanent danger zone: Barangay Masulog, Pula, Lumapao, and Malaiba.
The mayor stated he has mobilized all resources to ensure the safety of the residents and has contacted the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), the regional and provincial Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices for assistance if needed.
Cardenas expressed gratitude to Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria for his promise of support and resources, and he has requested assistance from officials of neighboring municipalities and cities through the governor.
Meanwhile, Negros Island residents were advised to prepare face masks in light of the eruption.
“That was an explosive eruption and could progress into a hazardous magmatic eruption,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol stated.
He explained that explosive volcanic eruptions occur when volcanic gas expands rapidly. If the pressure is too high, gases are suddenly released, causing powerful explosions that eject ash, gas, and lava.
He emphasized that ash fall is part of the plume, and the public needs to be prepared with face masks.
Entering the four-km permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited due to the increased likelihood of sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions.
According to the report, aviation authorities were advised to caution pilots against flying close to the volcano’s summit.
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