Kanlaon Volcano erupts, emits 5,000-meter tall plumes — PHIVOLCS

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental is emitting plumes that rose to 5,000 meters, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Monday.

Alert Level 2 or "increasing unrest" has been raised over Kanlaon Volcano from the earlier Alert Level1  which meant there is a slight increase in volcanic earthquake and steam activity.

PHIVOLCS said the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon began at 6:51 p.m. with the volcano sending a vertical plume into the atmosphere.

The eruption lasted 6 minutes and was followed by a relatively strong volcanic-tectonic earthquake.

PHIVOLCS recorded two volcanic earthquakes following the eruption.

"Mayroon din tayong natatanggap na mga reports na sulfur smell at pag-ulan ng abo sa mga pamayanan sa bandang kanlurang bahagi ng bulkan, ito ay bineverify na natin.," Ma. Antonia Bornas, PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief, told Super Radyo dzBB.

(We also received reports of a sulfur smell and ash fall on the communities located at Kanlaon's western slope. We are verifying this.)

Residents of communities surrounding the volcano that include the town of La Castellana town, La Carlota City and Canlaon City were warned of ash fall.

Following the eruption, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)  said it is closely coordinating the situation and response operations with its regional counterparts in Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

"We are receiving reports of evacuation activities in Negros Occidental. Response teams are being deployed in the affected areas to move the residents to safe places," OCD said.

"The Provincial DRRMO of Negros Occidental has also raised its Alert Level Status to BLUE and activated its response clusters," it added.

"As we speak, this is still manageable at the level of the local DRRMOs but we are on full alert and ready to provide necessary assistance if needed. We will provide continuous updates." it also said.

The OCD urged the affected residents to "stay vigilant and heed authorities' warnings and advisories."

Evacuation urged

Residents of Canlaon City were urged to evacuate since they are within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone.

"Sa ngayon, wala tayong indikasyon na lumalala yung activity except na meron po tayong patuloy na paglabas ng plume," Bornas said.

(Right now, there is no indication that the volcanic activity is getting worse except for the continuous emission of plumes.)

Alert Level 2  means there are elevated volcanic earthquakes, steam emissions, ground deformation and hot spring temperature.

According to PHIVOLCS, intermittent steam or ash explosions are also observed with increased inflation or swelling of the volcano’s edifice under Alert Level 2.

 PHIVOLCS recorded eight volcanic earthquakes from 12 a.m. on Sunday to 12 a.m. on Monday.

Kanlaon Volcano was observed to have emitted 177 tons of sulfur dioxide on Sunday, June 2.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News