Phivolcs raises Kanlaon Volcano alert over ‘magmatic unrest’

Metro Manila, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island spewed tall columns of ash on Monday, Dec. 9, prompting authorities to raise the warning midway in the five-level alert system over what they called “magmatic unrest.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that the magmatic eruption “may progress to further explosive eruptions.”

“All local government units are advised to evacuate the 6-km radius from the summit of the volcano and must be prepared for additional evacuation if activity warrants,” the agency said in a public notice.

Kanlaon had been under Alert Level 2, or “increasing unrest,” since June.

Pihivolcs said the explosive eruption happened at the summit vent at 3:03 p.m. Monday.

A column of hot gases and other volcanic materials burst out three kilometers above the vent and drifted west-southwest, the agency said.

Phivolcs said volcanic particles, hot gases, and ash, which are called pyroclastic density currents, flowed the slopes on the general southeastern side of the volcano.

This story will be updated.