Kanlaon Volcano alert raised to Level 3 after eruption

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island showed signs of unrest with volcanic earthquakes and degassing, leading PHIVOLCS to raise its alert status to Level 3 following an explosive eruption on December 9.

The volcano recorded 10 volcanic earthquakes from 12 a.m. Friday to 12 a.m. Saturday and emitted 1,714 tonnes of sulfur dioxide, indicating continuous seismic activity since June.

Moderate plumes reaching up to 100 meters tall were observed rising from the summit and drifting southwest, while PHIVOLCS noted that Kanlaon's edifice remains inflated with ongoing degassing and occasional ash emission.

Alert Level 3 (Intensified Unrest/Magmatic Unrest) is now in effect, and PHIVOLCS advised evacuating a six-kilometer radius from the volcano’s summit and prohibiting aircraft from flying close to it due to potential hazards such as sudden explosive eruptions, lava flows, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, and lahars during heavy rains.