It’s been six months since Kanlaon Volcano last erupted.
Following a strong eruption on Monday afternoon, December 9, state volcanologists were quick to recommend the mandatory evacuation of residents living within the six-kilometer danger zone.
Based on monitoring, Phivolcs said the latest volcanic activity may be considered dangerous, especially for those in the way of the pyroclastic density current (PDC) that it produced minutes after its eruption.
Ma. Antonia Bornas, Phivolcs chief of the Volcanic Monitoring, Eruption and Prediction Division, said there is no way for anyone to escape PDCs, and it can result in death once people get into contact with it.
“Ito ang pinaka-lethal dahil ito ay nagmumula o nag-uugat mainly sa mga collapsed material sa bunganga ng bulkan. Ito ay magkahalong mainit na volcanic gas, ash at fragmented voclanic rocks,” she said.
Bornas adds that PDCs can cause inceneration.
What makes it even more dangerous is that it can travel at speeds between 30 and 60 kilometers per hour and is, therefore, similar to being hit by a high speed vehicle upon contact.
Fortunately, Phivolcs said the PDC travelled only as far as 3.4 kilometers from the crater at the southeastern edifice near the town of La Castellana.
The eruption, which lasted for a little less than four minutes, also produced a four-kilometer-high plume bent towards west-southwest.
Ash fall reports were received in Bago City, Negros Occidental; Mambukal, Murcia, Guintubdan, Ara-al and La Carlota City.
Experts warned the public against complacency by thinking that the eruption had released the brewing pressure inside.
“‘Pag pumuputok ang bulkan, ito ay naglalabas ng pressure. Pero humihigop ng maraming volcanic gas mula sa system. Nagsasanhi ng paninigas ng magma. Hindi ibig sabihin na ‘pag nag-release ang bulkan ay tapos na,” Bornas said.
Phivolcs has placed Kanlaon Volcano under Alert Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest.
It will continue to monitor volcanic activities, including tremors with sudden changes possibly prompting them to once again raise the alert to level 4.
The public, especially those who experience ash fall, is advised to quickly remove and clean areas of their home where ash may have accumulated.
Health experts have repeatedly said that frequent washing, especially of the eyes and wearing of a face mask can protect an individual from irritation caused by ash contact or inhalation. (ABS-CBN News)