A moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano sent a volcanic plume as high as six kilometers above the summit, with ashfall, sulfur odor, booming sounds and ground shaking reported in parts of Negros Occidental on Saturday, Oct. 10.
The eruption occurred from about 12:46 p.m. to 12:48 p.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
The plume drifted north-northeast.
The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region said initial reports from Bago City indicated a visible volcanic cloud, booming sounds and ground shaking, although no ashfall or sulfur odor was initially reported there.
In San Carlos City, sulfur odor was reported in the upper portions of Brgy. Codcod, while no ashfall was initially recorded.
La Carlota City reported rumbling sounds, while ashfall and sulfur odor were observed in Sitio Gintubdan, Brgy. Ara-al.
Ashfall was also initially reported in Barangays Igmayaan and Kumaliskis in Don Salvador Benedicto, according to OCD-NIR.
The agency said the reports were being validated in coordination with affected local government units.
Kanlaon remained under Alert Level 2, indicating increased or moderate volcanic unrest, with entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone strictly prohibited.
PHIVOLCS also advised against flying aircraft close to the volcano because of the danger from sudden eruptions and volcanic material.
OCD-NIR said it was coordinating with LGUs and partner agencies to assess conditions and implement response measures when necessary.
Volcanic activity continued into Sunday, Oct. 11.
PHIVOLCS recorded an ash emission at 1:28 a.m. that produced a 400-meter plume drifting northwest, followed by another at 5:15 a.m. that generated a grayish plume reaching about 600 meters and drifting west.
PHIVOLCS’ Oct. 11 monitoring bulletin recorded one moderately explosive eruption lasting two minutes, an ash emission event lasting 161 minutes and 10 volcanic earthquakes during the previous 24 hours.
The agency also recorded sulfur dioxide emissions averaging 802 tonnes per day, with a maximum of 4,656 tonnes per day on Oct. 10, while the volcanic edifice remained inflated.
PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said Sunday that gases and volcanic materials continued to escape through the volcano’s vent after Saturday’s eruption opened a pathway for their release.
He said PHIVOLCS was continuing to assess Kanlaon’s overall condition and, as of Sunday morning, Alert Level 2 remained in effect.
OCD-NIR urged residents to follow PHIVOLCS advisories, observe precautions against volcanic hazards and comply with instructions from local authorities.
The public was also advised to rely on official and verified government sources for updates as monitoring of Kanlaon continues.*
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