KANLAON VOLCANO ERUPTS

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday night recorded a minor explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano in the Negros Island Region.

Phivolcs said the eruption occurred from 8:05 p.m. and  lasted until 8:08 p.m..

The agency said the event generated an eruption plume that rose 2,000 meters above the crater before drifting northeast as recorded by the IP Cameras in Lower Masulog, Canlaon City observation station (VKLM).

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) were seen descending the southern upper slopes within one kilometer of the summit crater.

Following the eruption, Phivolcs warned the public of possible ashfall and lahar flows.

People were advised to stay away from the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

As of this writing, all  barangay rescue vehicles in Canlaon City were placed on standby in case residents need to be evacuated.

In a Facebook post, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco “Batchuk” Cardenas, said that the city’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) continues to monitor the situation and coordinate closely with barangay officials to ensure the safety of the people living near the volcano.

On Thursday morning, Kanlaon Volcano spewed ash twice, producing grayish plumes that rose up to 600 meters high. The first emission occurred from 5:30 a.m. to 7:29 a.m. while the second happened from 7:39 a.m. to 8:05 a.m.

Phivolcs said Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 or moderate level of unrest.