Kanlaon Volcano shows increased activity with 11 earthquakes, sulfur dioxide release

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported eleven volcanic earthquakes, including two volcanic tremors lasting 3 to 4 minutes, at Kanlaon Volcano on Sunday, February 2.

The volcano also released 4,328 tonnes of sulfur dioxide with moderate plumes rising 150 meters that drifted northwest and west.

Throughout January 2025, the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory recorded approximately 70 ash emission events, which research specialist Perly Sianson stated are indicators of a potential eruption.

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island remains at Alert Level 3, signifying magmatic unrest following its eruption on December 9, 2024.

Phivolcs has recommended the evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer radius around the volcano's summit.

Potential hazards include sudden explosive eruptions, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains.

In 2024, Kanlaon Volcano erupted twice, displacing nearly 50,000 individuals or over 11,000 families across 32 barangays in Western and Central Visayas.