Mt. Kanlaon has recorded more than 100 minor eruptions, or ash emissions, since October last year, according to an official from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Mariton Bornas, head of Phivolcs’ Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, reported on Thursday that 117 ash emissions have occurred since October 19.

“In volcanology, these ash emissions are technically classified as minor eruptions, as an eruption involves the release of volcanic materials from a crater,” Bornas said.

She said that if Mt. Kanlaon’s unrest intensifies, it will be categorized as one extended eruptive series beginning June 3, featuring multiple eruptive phases.

These may include individual events such as lava flows, lava fountaining, or, in the worst case, an explosive eruption.

Unlike Mayon Volcano, which had a major eruption within two weeks of initial activity, Mt. Kanlaon’s unrest has been drawn out, displaying signs of a potential major eruption for nearly two years, Bornas said.

While these minor events are precursors to a larger eruption, the timing and nature of the main eruptive period remain unpredictable.

Phivolcs continues to closely monitor the situation.

The Negros Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office captured video footage of Mt. Kanlaon emitting ash around 9:00 a.m. (PNA)