Philippine Volcano Kanlaon Erupts Ash Amid Rising Seismic Activity, Communities Urged to Stay Alert

In a dramatic display of nature's fury, Mount Kanlaon in Negros Island unleashed two powerful ash emissions early Thursday morning, sending grayish plumes soaring up to 600 meters above the summit crater and drifting west-southwest, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The events, captured in chilling time-lapse footage shared on PHIVOLCS's official social media pages, unfolded between 5:30 a.m. to 7:29 a.m. and 7:39 a.m. to 8:05 a.m., highlighting the volcano's escalating unrest and prompting urgent warnings for nearby communities.

PHIVOLCS confirmed the emissions originated from the volcano's active summit crater, with the ash-laden clouds visible from the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in Canlaon City. This latest activity adds to a string of concerning signs at the 2,435-meter stratovolcano, which straddles Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental provinces. Over the past 24 hours leading up to the emissions, monitors detected at least 20 volcano-tectonic earthquakes, signaling potential magma movement beneath the surface. Sulfur dioxide emissions, a key indicator of volcanic vigor, clocked in at around 3,194 tons per day as of October 20, with the volcano's edifice showing signs of inflation—further evidence of building pressure.

Alert Level 2 remains firmly in place, classifying Kanlaon as being in a state of "increased unrest." This moderate alert status, first hoisted on October 7, means the volcano could be gearing up for a phreatic (steam-driven) eruption or even a low-level magmatic one. "The public should stay vigilant and adhere to all advisories," PHIVOLCS urged in their bulletin. Entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the crater is strictly prohibited to prevent exposure to sudden steam explosions, toxic gas releases, or ashfall. Aircraft are also banned from flying near the summit, as airborne ash poses a severe risk to engines and navigation systems.

Also Read: Snake Under Stage Before Rajnath Singh’s Pune Visit Sends Security on Alert at Symbiosis University

The implications for local residents are stark. Ash from these emissions could blanket nearby areas, contaminating water supplies, damaging crops, and aggravating respiratory issues, especially in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. Farmers in the fertile lowlands of Negros, already on edge from recent seismic rumbles, are bracing for potential evacuations. "We've seen ash before, but these plumes feel different—bigger, darker," shared one evacuee from a previous alert in June 2024, when Kanlaon last erupted violently, forcing thousands to flee.

PHIVOLCS scientists are ramping up surveillance with seismic networks, gas sampling, and ground deformation tools to track any escalation. If unrest intensifies—such as more frequent quakes or higher SO2 levels—the alert could jump to Level 3, expanding the danger zone to eight kilometers and triggering mass evacuations. For now, authorities are distributing masks, monitoring air quality, and coordinating with local governments to ensure preparedness.

Mount Kanlaon, one of the Philippines' 24 active volcanoes and a fixture on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has a history of unpredictability. Its last major eruption in 2024 spewed ash columns up to 4,000 meters, grounding flights and blanketing villages in gray grit. As the archipelago grapples with this fiery sentinel, experts remind us that while eruptions can't be precisely predicted, vigilance saves lives. Stay tuned to official channels for updates, and if you're in the area, heed the call: when the mountain speaks, it's time to listen.

Also Read: Fadnavis on Alert as Rains Swamp Maharashtra’s Solapur and Marathwada