INCREASED ASH EMISSION OBSERVED IN KANLAON VOLCANO

MANILA, Dec 23 (Bernama-PNA) -- A dark plume about 1.2 kilometres high was observed in Kanlaon Volcano, the Philippine News Agency reported, citing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Monday.

The ash emission began at 11.45 am, accompanied by a low-frequency volcanic earthquake, Phivolcs said.

In its advisory, Phivolcs warned that ashfall is expected over communities northwest to west of the volcano in Negros Occidental.

While other volcanic parameters remain elevated, they have not shown significant changes.

Kanlaon Volcano has been under Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) since Dec 9, indicating an increased likelihood of sudden, stronger explosive eruptions that could pose life-threatening hazards to nearby communities.

Communities within a six-kilometre radius of the summit crater must remain evacuated due to the danger of pyroclastic density currents or PDCs, ballistic projectiles and ashfall, lava flows, rockfalls and other related hazards.

Phivolcs also highlighted the potential for heavy rainfall to trigger lahars and sediment-laden streamflow in channels on the southern flanks of the volcano.

"Specifically, barangays of La Castellana and Canlaon City that have been impacted by PDCs, as well as barangays downstream of these especially those that have experienced lahars and muddy streamflows in June 2024, could be affected by channel-confined lahars of in case of heavy rains," Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs urged aviation authorities to advise pilots to avoid flying near Kanlaon’s summit, as ash from a sudden eruption could endanger aircraft. 

-- BERNAMA-PNA