By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter
KANLAON VOLCANO in central Philippines erupted on Tuesday morning, spewing an ash column reaching about 4,000 meters high, according to the local seismology agency.
In a bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said alert level 3 remained in effect over Mount Kanlaon, where it has been since December 2024 after an earlier explosive event.
Level 3, on a scale of 5, means there is an increased risk of lava flows and the potential for a hazardous eruption within weeks.
The “moderately explosive eruption” occurred at the summit of Kanlaon Volcano at 5:51 a.m., lasting 56 minutes.
“Pyroclastic density currents descended the slopes on the general southern edifice based on IP and thermal camera monitors,” PHIVOLCS said.
Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano straddling the Southeast Asian country’s central provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is one of two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told DWPM radio there is a possibility the alert level could either be raised or lowered in the coming days, depending on how quickly magma rises to the surface.
A faster ascent could trigger a more intense eruption, prompting an escalation to alert level 4, while a slowdown or pause in magma movement could lead to a downgrade to alert level 2, he said.
The agency called on residents within a six-kilometer radius of the volcano to immediately evacuate.
It also warned of possible hazards such as a sudden explosive eruption, lava flow, ash fall, rockfall, lahar flow during heavy rains and pyroclastic flow.
In separate advisory, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a notice to airmen prohibiting flights near Kanlaon.
CAAP said the notice restricts aircraft from operating within a vertical limit from the surface up to 22,000 feet. It will remain in effect from April 8 at 8:20 a.m. until April 9 at 5:51 a.m.
“Flight operators are advised to avoid flying near the volcano due to the potential hazards posed by volcanic ash,” it added.
In a separate Facebook post, the Office of Civil Defense called on local governments in Panay, Guimaras and coastal areas facing Negros Island to remain on high alert for potential ash fall.
“Please prepare face masks for immediate distribution to affected communities,” it said. “Residents are also advised to stay indoors as much as possible and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from ash inhalation.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had ordered the National Government to continue providing aid to residents affected by the eruption, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
Palace spokesperson Claire A. Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development would closely coordinate with affected local government units.
“Field offices in Western and Central Visayas are closely coordinating with affected local government units and are continuously providing provisions such as family food packs and nonfood items to our affected countrymen,” she told a news briefing.
She said the government is studying whether additional funding for affected residents is needed. “If necessary, this will be carefully assessed, and assistance will be provided immediately.”
The Philippines lies in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a belt of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes strike. It also lies along the typhoon belt in the Pacific and experiences about 20 storms each year. — with Reuters
