MANILA, Philippines — A moderately explosive eruption occurred yesterday at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island Region, generating an ash plume that rose between five and six kilometers above the crater.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the eruption occurred from 12:48 to 1:30 p.m.
Officials of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council advised residents in the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to take precautions against possible ashfall.
The volcanic activity prompted the city government of La Carlota to convene its disaster risk reduction council and the local social welfare and development office in preparation for any emergency.
A day before, the volcano emitted 2,138 tons of sulfur dioxide. Sixteen volcanic earthquakes were recorded on the same day.
Alert Level 2 remains hoisted over Kanlaon.
Entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and flying an aircraft near the volcano are prohibited due to possible sudden stream-driven or phreatic eruptions and precursory magmatic activity. — Josiah Antonio