Kanlaon Volcano spews ash on Christmas Eve

Metro Manila, Philippines - Kanlaon Volcano in Negros island emitted ash again, and generated a tall plume, this time on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the ash emission started at 11:37 a.m. and ended at 11:48 a.m.

The event produced a 1.2-kilometer tall dark plume and would rain ash over the south and southwest parts of the volcano.

On Monday, Phivolcs reported that Mt. Kanlaon spewed dark ash, which was accompanied by weak low frequency volcanic earthquakes.

Mt. Kanlaon is still on alert Level 3, or “magmatic unrest,” after an explosive eruption on Dec. 9. 

Residents living within the six-kilometer radius of the volcano have since been evacuated.

Speaking to state channel PTV, Social Welfare spokesperson Irene Dumlao said over 4,400 families or more than 14,200 people were in evacuation centers.

Dumlao said more than 7,000 displaced people sought temporary shelter in their kin or friends.