Phivolcs lowers alert level on Kanlaon

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s volcanology agency on Friday lowered the alert status for Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island, signifying that no eruptive activity is expected in the immediate future.

In a bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology dropped the alert status of Kanlaon Volcano from alert level 2 (moderate level of unrest) to alert level 1 (low level of unrest).

Phivolcs said the volcano has been exhibiting a “protracted decline” in overall activity.

“This means that observational parameters have returned to low levels and no magmatic eruption is foreseen in the immediate future,” the agency said.

But Phivolcs warned the public against entering the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone due to hazards of rockfalls, avalanches, sudden outgassing and steam-driven eruption at the summit area despite the lowering of alert level. 

Last November, Phivolcs raised alert level 2 status for Kanlaon Volcano, the highest point in Visayas at 2,465 meters or 8,087 feet above sea level. The volcano straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.