One of the most active volcanoes in the Visayas, Mt. Kanlaon of Negros Island erupted on Saturday June 18, 2016 at around 9:19 AM. The eruption of Mt. Kanlaon was confirmed by the state volcanologists, Phivolcs. In an advisory released online, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that the volcano had a “phreatic explosion.”
The volcano Mt. Kanlaon, considered as the Roof of the Visayas because it is the highest mountain in the Visayas region is spewing ash, as far as 400-meter to 1,500-meter high plumes, grayish to white in color, which came from the mouth of the volcano.
According to Phivolcs the eruption of the volcano is still ongoing as they noted also that at least three volcanic earthquakes were detected from Kanlaon in the past 24 hours. Phivolcs noted that Mt. Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 1, which means it is in a state of unrest and minor eruptions may occur.
The 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone of Mt. Kanlaon will be no longer accessible to trekkers as Phivolcs and the local government unit of the areas remindded that entry with the said area is strictly prohibited.
Due to Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption, ashfall was reported in villages of Murcia, Negros Occidental as well as villages closed to Mt. Kanlaon, such as Kanlaon City and La Carlota City. Although Mt. Kanlaon is an active volcano it is considered as one of the favorite spot for mountain climbers. Mt. Kanlaon’s twin-peak rise 2,465 meters above sea level and served as the centerpiece of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, located at least 30 kilometers from Bacolod City.