Kanlaon Volcano emitted grayish ash plumes reaching up to 300 meters high yesterday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs said the ash plumes drifted west-northwest, likely due to volcanic gas release and pressure buildup within the volcano.

“Ash emissions happen when there’s a new release of volcanic gas and pressure,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency.

Degassing brings fine and dry materials or ash that can be found in the volcano’s crater, he explained.

“This [ash emission] is expected for Kanlaon Volcano since it is under Alert Level 2 or moderate level of unrest,” Bacolcol clarified.

Meanwhile, Taal Volcano recorded a one-minute minor phreatomagmatic eruption at its main crater on Monday, producing steam-rich plumes that rose about 500 meters high.

The volcano is still under Alert Level 1, which means sudden steam or phreatic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, thin ashfall and emission of poisonous gases are possible.

Earlier, Bacolcol explained that minor eruptions normally happen in Taal Volcano.

Taal erupts every now and then, and almost every month, Bacolcol said. (PNA)