Mount Kanlaon alert

Restive Mount Kanlaon, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental generated a steam-driven or lowenergy phreatic eruption yesterday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The eruption was recorded at around 9:47 a.m. Saturday and lasted approximately 10 minutes, based on Mt. Kanlaon's seismic monitoring network.

Phivolcs said the volcano ejected steam and dark ash but was poorly observed due to clouds covering the summit region.

Likewise, rumbling sounds were reportedly heard in Barangay Manghanoy in La Castellana, and thin ash was observed on Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City.

Phivolcs also noted that the eruption was preceded by resumption of degassing at the summit crater at 6:34 a.m. on Saturday, which was last observed in September 2016.

Last November 15, Phivolcs raised Kanlaon Volcano's alert level to 2, meaning the volcano is undergoing a moderate level of unrest.

It said the volcano's alert level 2 status prevails.

Phivolcs warned that there is a probable intrusion of magma at depth which may or may not lead to a magmatic eruption.

It reminded the concerned local government units and the public of the strict entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ).

The entry into the PDZ is strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, Phivolcs said.

Likewise, civil aviation authorities were asked to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit.

According to Phivolcs, Mt. Kanlaon had 30 eruptions in history, and the last time was in June 18, 2016.