By CESAR JOLITO III
The status of Kanlaon Volcano remains at Alert Level 2, signaling continuing volcanic unrest, though the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warns that Alert Level 3 may be raised if activity persists or intensifies.
The most recent eruption occurred on Thursday night, February 26, at 7:04 p.m., lasting approximately two minutes.
The moderately explosive event generated a dense dark gray plume reaching 2,500 meters above the summit, accompanied by volcanic lightning and incandescent fragments that landed up to 1.5 kilometers from the crater.
Pyroclastic density currents traveled down the volcano’s southeast and eastern upper slopes within two kilometers of the summit.
High winds dispersed ash over a wide area of Negros Island, with the heaviest accumulation reported in the municipalities of La Castellana and Pontevedra.
In total, 121 barangays across 16 cities and municipalities experienced light to heavy ashfall.
Sulfurous fumes and shockwaves were also felt, while forest fires ignited by ballistic fragments burned on the upper southern and southeastern slopes before being extinguished by 8:19 a.m. yesterday.
Phivolcs noted that the eruption was preceded by relatively low seismic activity, with only nine volcanic earthquakes recorded the day before.
Sulfur dioxide emissions had also decreased to 194 tons per day, down from an average of 2,800 tons per day during the volcano’s unrest that began in June 2024.
Officials advise that residents within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone remain evacuated due to life-threatening hazards from pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfalls, and volcanic gas.
Communities within the six-kilometer radius should also prepare for potential evacuation should volcanic activity escalate.
Residents affected by ashfall are urged to take precautions for health, transportation, and water safety.
Civil aviation authorities have been advised to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit due to hazards from sudden eruptions./CJ, WDJ