Kanlaon Volcano unrest continues into 2025, flights remain prohibited

Kanlaon Volcano experienced two significant eruptions in 2024, on June 3 and December 9, with the latter prompting an increase in alert level to 3.

The June 3 eruption produced a 5,000-meter ash and gas plume, lasted six minutes, and was followed by pyroclastic density currents and ashfall in nearby communities.

Following the December 9 eruption, PHIVOLCS raised the alert level to 3, indicating intensified unrest and potential for hazardous eruptions in the coming weeks due to shallow magmatic intrusion.

From December 31, 2024, to January 2, 2025, Kanlaon showed increased activity, including seven ash emission events lasting up to 264 minutes and 28 volcanic earthquakes.

On January 1, 2025, the volcano produced plumes 400 meters high and released 3,406 metric tons of sulfur dioxide.

The volcano remained under alert level 3, indicating intensified or magmatic unrest, and flights in its vicinity are still prohibited.

Possible hazards include sudden explosive eruptions, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, and lahars, leading to an expanded danger zone of six kilometers from the summit.