KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTS, ALERT LEVEL 3 REMAINS — PHIVOLCS

KANLAON Volcano in Negros Island early Tuesday morning (April 8, 2025) had an explosive eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said the eruption started at 5:51 a.m. and lasted at 6:47 a.m..

The eruption produced a “voluminous” plume 4,000 meters or 4 kilometers tall that drifted southwest.

Bacolcol said the eruption was similar to the December 9 explosion.

“The eruption today is comparable to the December 9 eruption. Bago pumutok,  bumaba ang sulfur dioxide emission. Bumaba and number of earthquakes. Nagsasaad na may pressure na naipon sa ilalim ng bulkan, kalaunan sumabog,” Bacolcol said.

Pyroclastic density currents were observed descending from the southern flank of the volcano, Phivols said.

According to Bacolcol, alert level 3 remains over Kanlaon.

“Right now, we are maintaining alert level 3. Wala siyang lava na inilalabas. Ang inilalabas niya ay abo at steam at pyroclastic density current,  mga magkakahalong abo, bato at gases na bumababa sa dalisdis ng bulkan,” he told a radio interview.

Bacolcol said the explosive eruption could have been caused by blocked conduits, causing overpressurization.

He said a higher alert level may be hoisted if the volcano’s condition worsens.

Authorities have ordered the suspension of classes in the affected areas, including the barangays of Ara-al, Yubo, San Miguel and Haguimit in La Carlota City.

Affected residents were urged to wear facemasks to prevent respiratory ailments caused by the ash fall.

“All local government units in Panay, especially those in coastal areas facing Negros Island are advised to remain on high alert for possible ashfall,” the Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas said.

Public were also  advised to evacuate the six-kilometer radius danger zone and reiterated that no individuals should remain within the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone.

Meanwhile, Bacolcol said Taal Volcano in Batangas and Mayon Volcano in Albay remain under alert level 1.